'It wasn't Bellingham, it wasn't Mbappe'...'Youngest record sweep' Yamal, 17, starts of overwhelming career → Euro championship

Jul 15, 2024

'It wasn't Bellingham, it wasn't Mbappe'...'Youngest record sweep' Yamal, 17, starts of overwhelming career → Euro championship
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'It wasn't Bellingham, it wasn't Mbappe'...'Youngest record sweep' Yamal, 17, starts of overwhelming career → Euro championship
ReutersYonhap News
The main character of this Euro 2024 was not superstar Jude Bellingham or Kylian Mbappe. It was Lamine Yamal, who swept all records at the age of 17.

Spain won the Euro 2024 final against England 2-1 at Olympiastadion Berlin in Berlin, Germany on the 15th (Korea time). With this victory, Spain has risen back to the top of Europe for the first time in 12 years since winning in 2010, and has won four Euros for the first time in history.

Spain, which beat out prominent contenders such as England, France and Germany, showed outstanding performances by various players, including key Rodri, striker Alvaro Morota and Dani Olmo, who played instead of Pedri, but among them, Yamal, who shook the euro at the age of 17, was also the one who caught the attention of fans the most.

'It wasn't Bellingham, it wasn't Mbappe'...'Youngest record sweep' Yamal, 17, starts of overwhelming career → Euro championship
AFP Yonhap News
Expectations for Yamal have already been high since the opening of the Euro. Born in 2007, striker Yamal was considered a new hope for Barcelona and Spain. He swept various youngest records in Barcelona's first team and showed tremendous performance even at a young age.

The same was true of the Spanish national team. Yamal, who has already joined the senior national team since September last year, has also joined the final roster for Euro 2024. From the group stage to the semifinals, he showed flashes of every game. The excellent dribbling, vision, and sharp kick in each game combined with mature play that did not suit his age, which impressed fans.

The final was not much different. Yamal helped Spain's first goal in the match and increased the number of assists. After the game, he won the Euro Best Young Player Award. Yamal, who started six of Spain's seven games this tournament and scored one goal and four assists, won the title of assist king.

'It wasn't Bellingham, it wasn't Mbappe'...'Youngest record sweep' Yamal, 17, starts of overwhelming career → Euro championship
AFP Yonhap News
He also broke several consecutive records. European soccer transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said Yamal was 17 years and 1 day, outpacing Pele (17 years and 249 days) at the World Cup in Sweden, becoming the youngest player to compete in an international tournament final.

In addition, Yamal engraved his name on all records named the youngest, including the youngest Euro appearance record (16 years and 338 days), the youngest Euro help record (16 years and 338 days), and the youngest Euro score record (16 years and 362 days).

The Euro 2024, which was expected to be a proof stage for top European stars such as Bellingham and Mbappe, ended with Yamal's first victory showcase as a member of the national team. Yamal's performance, which has already fascinated Europe, is expected to make fans more excited from the next season.





digh1229@sportschosun.com