‘Simply play to win:’ Spain’s emerging football famous person Yamal

Leman Yamal, who performed a key function in main Spain to the finals of the Ecu Championship 2024, celebrates his seventeenth birthday lately (Saturday).

Yamal, who scored the youngest objective on the age of 16 in opposition to France within the semi-final of Europe’s mega soccer event, is now on the top of reputation and is the debate of town.

He’ll flip 17 on Sunday, an afternoon earlier than the overall in opposition to England in Berlin.

Yamal, who was once named guy of the fit in opposition to France within the semi-final, says he simply performs to win, win and win. ‘I can have a good time my birthday in Germany with my crew.’

Yamal scored his crew’s first objective throughout the semi-final fit between Spain and France in Munich, Germany.

He beat French goalkeeper Mike Mignon from 25 yards into the left nook to attain within the twenty first minute of the primary part.

“I have no idea if it is the most efficient objective of the event or no longer, however it is the maximum particular objective for me as a result of it is my first objective with the crew within the Ecu Championship,” he stated.

Yamal was once 16 years and 362 days outdated when he scored his objective in opposition to France.

Up to now, Switzerland’s Johan Vanlanthan (18 years, 141 days) changed into the youngest goalscorer at a Ecu Championship in opposition to France at Euro 2004.

Yamal stated that he’s more than pleased to succeed in the overall. ‘Now comes an important phase – profitable the identify. We have been going via a hard length after no longer anticipating to surrender so quickly. I simply took the ball and sought after to position it there.

‘I check out to not suppose an excessive amount of about it and assist the crew and if it is going my approach, I am glad (for the objective) and for the win.’

Yamal got here into Euro 2024 with the document of ‘youngest participant’ and has inevitably set extra data.

He changed into the youngest participant to characteristic on the males’s Euros, when he began Spain’s opening victory over Croatia.

The Barcelona formative years was once already the youngest participant to debut and rating within the Spanish league on the age of 15.

Additionally the youngest participant to begin and rating for Spain within the Champions League.

“We noticed the genius of an ideal participant that everyone knows and we need to transfer on,” Spain trainer Luis de los angeles Fuente stated. And I will be able to simplest advise them to stay transferring ahead with the similar humility and paintings ethic and with their ft firmly planted at the flooring.

‘They are going to proceed to give a boost to with the similar perspective, professionalism and adulthood that they display throughout video games, regardless of being so younger, which makes them glance older and extra skilled than they truly are.

‘However above all they have got to revel in enjoying for us. Expectantly we will revel in his recreation for many years yet to come.’

4 mins after Yamal’s objective, Spain grew to become the sport round when Dani Olmo’s objective was once headed into the online by means of French defender Jules Conde. It was once to begin with awarded as France’s personal objective by means of UEFA however was once later awarded to Olmo.

“They scored first however we deliberate the fit neatly and glued to our plan,” Olmo stated. Lamine scored an excellent objective.’

Yamal tried any other very good objective 9 mins from time when the ball went over the crossbar from shut vary.

“When there was once simplest part an hour left I used to be considering we have been going to the overall,” stated Yamal. That was once all I may call to mind. When the referee blew the overall whistle, I used to be more than pleased as a result of I all the time bear in mind the remaining Ecu Championship I watched with my buddies within the buying groceries mall.’

“To succeed in the overall with the nationwide crew is a dream come true,” he stated.