Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal won the Young Player of the Year after his side beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday.
A Record-Breaking Performance
A day after his 17th birthday, Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, was thrust into the spotlight as he started in the Euro 2024 final against England. Not only did he shine in the match, but he also made history, becoming the youngest player to ever participate in a major international final—a record previously held by the legendary Pele since the 1958 World Cup final.
A Tournament of Milestones
Lamine Yamal has been breaking records throughout the European Championship. At the start of the tournament, he became the youngest player ever to start in a European Championship match during Spain’s opening game against Croatia. His talent continued to shine brightly as he scored in the semi-final against France, making him the youngest scorer in the competition’s history.
An Interesting Twist
Interestingly, Yamal’s participation in the final could have been cut short if the match had gone into extra time. German law restricts anyone under 18 from working past 11 pm, which means Spain would have faced a fine if Yamal continued playing beyond this time. Fortunately, Spain clinched the victory within regulation time, winning 2-1 with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, so this wasn’t an issue.
With this victory, Lamine Yamal now holds the title of the youngest player to ever win the European Championship. His contribution to Spain’s triumph under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente has been immense, and his future looks incredibly bright as he continues to make his mark on the football world.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
