European Football Championship - "Genius" Yamal with a moment for European Championship history
After passing through the Magician's Door and setting the EM record, celebrated FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has no particular wish for his 17th birthday - just one. "Nothing, just win, win, win," said the prodigious talent after Spain's progression to the UEFA European Championship final against England or the Netherlands.
The day before the final on Sunday in Berlin, Yamal will celebrate his birthday. "My goal was to celebrate my birthday here in Germany," said the winger. He managed to achieve that thanks to Barcelona's 2:1 semifinal victory against Vice-World Champions France. "A 'historic' Lamine Yamal' carried the team," wrote "Le Figaro."
Thanks to his equalizing goal at just 16 years and 362 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer in the tournament's history. And that's not all.
Even mom is happy
"My mother has always said that her dream is for me to score a goal at the EM," said Yamal, who was named Man of the Match. "I'm glad I could score my first goal against France in a semifinal. I'm very happy about that."
Spanish National Coach Luis de la Fuente was pleased with the "genius stroke" of the youngster. "I'd like to give him some advice: I'd like him to remain humble, with both feet on the ground, and keep improving," said the coach. He had a team of 26 "football geniuses."
Even Deschamps is smiling
After the French team went ahead through former Frankfurt player Randal Kolo Muani (9th minute), Yamal turned the game around with a stunning goal (21st minute) and Dani Olmo (25th minute). Despite disappointment, even the heavily displeased French National Coach Didier Deschamps smiled when asked about the goal.
"It was a wonderful shot. Really wonderful," said Deschamps. "His teammates gave him too much space, but the shot was also perfect."
A billion euros?
Yamal broke Johan Vonlanthen's record as the youngest EM goalscorer, who was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored for Switzerland against France in 2004. "I try not to think too much and just have fun and help the team," said Yamal. "And if it works out like today, even better."
Yamal made his debut for Barcelona in the Spanish first league at 15 and became the youngest debutant and goalscorer for the Spanish national team last year at 16 years and 57 days during the 7:1 victory against Georgia. His contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, with an exit clause of one billion Euros.
- Lamine Yamal's birthday wish is simple: "Win, win, win," he stated after Spain advanced to the UEFA European Championship final against either England or the Netherlands.
- Yamal will celebrate his birthday the day before the final, which is scheduled for Sunday in Berlin.
- Barcelona's 2:1 semifinal victory against Vice-World Champions France allowed Yamal to celebrate his birthday in Germany, as he had always wanted.
- Le Figaro praised Yamal's performance in the semifinal, calling his equalizing goal "historic."
- At just 16 years and 362 days old, Yamal broke the record for the youngest goalscorer in the tournament's history with his equalizer against France.
- Yamal's mother has always dreamed of seeing him score a goal at the EM, and she was thrilled when he scored against France.
- Spanish National Coach Luis de la Fuente praised Yamal for his "genius stroke" and advised him to remain humble and continue improving.
- Didier Deschamps, the heavily displeased French National Coach, acknowledged the excellence of Yamal's goal despite the French team's disappointment.
- With his performance in the semifinal, Yamal broke Johan Vonlanthen's record as the youngest EM goalscorer, who was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored for Switzerland against France in 2004.
- Yamal made his debut for Barcelona in the Spanish first league at 15 and became the youngest debutant and goalscorer for the Spanish national team last year, at 16 years and 57 days, during the 7:1 victory against Georgia.
- Yamal's contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, and his exit clause is set at an impressive one billion Euros.
