Lamine Yamal, a miracle at the age of 16

Lamine Yamal (Spain) has made history as the youngest player to score in a Euro tournament, at just 16 years and 362 days.

Yamal là tương lai của bóng đá Tây Ban Nha và thế giới - Ảnh: REUTERS — *Yamal is the future of Spanish and world football - Photo: REUTERS*

Somewhere, a 16-year-old boy has just finished his homework. At Euro 2024, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal scored against France, helping the Spanish team come back to win 2-1 in the semi-finals and win a ticket to the final match. "Lamine Yamal is only 12 years old but could cause Barca a headache in the coming years (in keeping and developing his talent - PV). This boy is considered a copy of Lionel Messi in most skills such as dribbling, passing and finishing" - this is the comment of Marca newspaper in 2019, when Lamine Yamal was emerging as a natural talent in the Barcelona U13 team.

Don't be surprised with Yamal

Many people will be shocked when Lamine Yamal obviously takes a starting position in the Spanish national team. When witnessing Lamine Yamal walking out of the tunnel of the Allianz Arena (Munich) in a Euro semi-final, many fans sneered. How could this fresh-faced high school graduate compete with the experienced "uncles" on the other side of the battle line? Although Euro is an arena to introduce young stars, Yamal's case is really too young. And fans around the world were even more shocked when they saw Yamal score a masterpiece against France, opening the way for Spain to come back in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. Let's forget the argument that the French team looked down on Yamal because he was a child. Simply put, that goal was so extraordinary that even a cautious French team could not stop it. But those who are Barca fans will not be surprised if looking at this goal and Yamal's overall excellent performance at Euro 2024. At 16 years old, Yamal is already a pillar of Barca. Last season, he played 50 matches, scored 7 goals, contributed 10 assists for Barca. Yamal played 37/38 matches for Barca in the Spanish Championship and played all 10 matches in the Champions League. Those statistics show why Yamal is a starter in Spain. And the fact that he plays well, even shines, is no coincidence.

Yamal ghi bàn thắng đầu tiên ở Euro khi mới 16 tuổi 362 ngày - Ảnh: REUTERS — *Yamal scored his first goal at Euro at the age of 16 years and 362 days - Photo: REUTERS*

Many people compare Yamal to Lionel Messi - who is a legend at Barca. Apart from his football skills, what convinces everyone that Yamal is similar to Messi is the connection between them: Barca Club. But no, Yamal is more like the "king of football" Pele. Messi debuted for Barca at the age of 17 and it took a few years for the world to really know him. Yamal is different because at the age of 16 he was already a pillar of Barca and a pillar of the national team. In the world, before Yamal, there was only one person who did the same thing: football legend Pele. "King of football" Pele debuted for Brazil on July 7, 1957 at the age of 16 years and 9 months. In his first match wearing the yellow and green shirt, Pele scored a goal against Argentina.

By June 1958, Pele had scored six goals at the World Cup, helping Brazil win the World Cup for the first time. Spain had reached the final and were on the verge of winning the title. Yamal was truly following Pele's path. He would be the most anticipated talent in world football for years to come.

The important thing for Yamal now is that he must overcome the halo of early fame, expectations and sky-high praise to become a real star of world football. This is also not an easy battle for Yamal. But this young man has an example to follow, that is Lionel Messi!