The 17-year-old started the European Championship final against England – setting a new record. Even a legend was left behind.
Spain's young star Lamine Yamal has broken another record in the European Championship final. One day after his 17th birthday, the FC Barcelona striker started against England in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, making him the youngest player to ever play in a European Championship final. The previous record holder, Portugal's Renato Sanches, was 18 years and 328 days old when he played in the surprise victory against France at the 2016 European Championship final.
Yamal had already become the youngest player in European Championship history in Spain's opening victory against Croatia (3-0) in Berlin. With his dream goal in the semi-final against France (2-1), he also became the youngest goalscorer.
Video | Rodri and Yamal collect their trophies
Source: MagentaTV
He also surpassed Brazilian legend Pelé once again. No player was younger than Yamal when appearing in a European or World Cup final. Pelé, who died in 2022, was 17 years and 249 days old when he scored two goals in Brazil's 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final.
The Brazilian's foundation has already paid tribute to the Spaniard in recent days when he broke some of Pelé's records at major tournaments. “The Pelé Foundation congratulates Lamine Yamal on this significant achievement in his career and hopes that this is just the beginning of a successful journey,” it said on Instagram.
Yamal made his debut for Barcelona in the Spanish first division at the age of 15 and became the youngest debutant and goalscorer for the Spanish national team last year in the 7-1 win against Georgia at the age of 16 years and 57 days. His contract in Barcelona runs until 2026 and the release clause is said to be one billion euros.
