Spanish European Championship success comes from Africa

Child prodigy Lamine Yamal caused a sensation at the 2024 European Championships, breaking records in the process. Despite being only 16 years old, he continues to play a key role for Spain. writes Vlad Andrejevic.

In Spain’s biggest friendly yet, Yamal provided another assist that helped his team beat hosts Germany 2-1 after extra time, before scoring a sublime equaliser as his team eliminated France in the semi-finals.

Against the Germans, his perfectly weighted pass to pick out Dani Olmo’s late run was Yamal’s third assist of the Euros, making him the first teenager since 1966 to record three assists at a single European Championship or World Cup.

His shot on goal against the highly-rated French was beautiful and a real contender for goal of the tournament.

Spain and Morocco are 14 kilometers apart and it is normal for such things to happen

Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa

Just a few months ago, the winger became Spain’s youngest goalscorer when he scored on his senior debut against Georgia in September at the age of just 16 years and 57 days.

His international success is the result of equally astonishing form at club level: he broke through at Barcelona’s famous La Masia, where he scored seven goals and ten assists in all competitions this season, becoming the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history.

The statistics are by no means misleading; his performances match the performance. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has developed a style of play that gives Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams the space and freedom to express themselves.

Thanks to their solid technical backbone, Yamal and Williams were able to attack their opponents fearlessly and with devastating effect, making Spain the most entertaining team of the tournament.

The Catalan-born winger has already become a figurehead for Spain, but he has not forgotten his roots, as was evident in his boots throughout the tournament. To pay tribute to his family, he wore the Moroccan flag in honour of his father’s country of birth and the Equatorial Guinea flag in honour of his mother’s.

Both countries are said to have approached Yamal. The president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, announced in March that they had spoken to his camp. “We told him and his family about our project, but Lamine was already convinced to go to Spain,” he said. “Spain and Morocco are 14 kilometers apart and it is normal for something like this to happen. I respect Lamine.”

Although Spain ultimately suited the Barcelona starlet best, his parents’ birth countries remain close to his heart as he continues to develop into one of the most exciting talents in world football.

The best moments in Yamal’s already meteoric career could be just around the corner.