At just 16 years old, young striker Lamine Yamal reached another milestone on Friday when he was called up to the Spain A Team for the first time. Yamal could become Spain's youngest player in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus. If coach Luis de la Fuente includes the teenager in the matches that Spain plays on September 8 and 12, then Yamal would break the record of his Barcelona team-mate Gavi. Midfielder Gavi became the youngest player to play for Spain in their Nations League semi-final win over Italy at the age of 17 years and 62 days in October 2021. Gavi broke the record set in 1936 by Angel Zubieta Redondo, of who wore the Spain jersey at the age of 17 years and 284 days in a friendly match.
The baton can now be taken up by Yamal, who could add a new record to a growing collection which began when he became Barcelona's youngest La Liga debutant against Real Betis in April aged just 15 and 9. month.
"I'm very happy to be able to achieve this record, but I hope I can break more," the young player, who can play in all three attacking positions, told the club's website at the time.
Four months later Yamal shines at Barca, where Ousmane Dembele's departure to Paris Saint-Germain and Raphinha's two-match suspension gave him a huge chance to impress. He became La Liga's youngest starter in the XNUMXst century against Cadiz and then played against Villarreal, where he was named man of the match. At the Estadio de la Ceramica last Sunday, his fantastic performance earned Yamal a standing ovation when he was replaced by Ansu Fati.
"Fortunately I play without fear, I just try to play football, which is what I'm good at," said Yamal. "My mother is a little afraid when I play as a starter, but she supports me a lot."
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he strongly believes in Yamali's potential. Xavi even believes that Yamal is a player who can shine at the club for many years to come.
"He is a player who makes the difference, smart. The decision he takes is almost always correct and good," said Xavi. "This is the best thing for him, at the age of 16."
According to reports, Xavi quickly began tracking the youngster's progress through the club's youth ranks when he arrived in 2021 as Barcelona coach. Born in Catalonia to a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, Yamal joined Barca at the age of seven and was called up to the first team before making appearances for the reserve team. A quick, skilful and explosive player, Yamal has also been a regular in Spain's youth set-up and now has the chance to continue making his mark with the A team.
"I have selected a list of young players, with Lamine Yamalin, who is a great player and has a bright future. He is a player who guarantees the future and the invitation came at the right moment", said the Spain coach, De La Fuente.
