Spain’s Yamal will become the youngest ever Euros player against Croatia

Lamine Yamal will become the youngest player ever to compete in a European Championship when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente chose him to start their first encounter against Croatia on Saturday.

The Barcelona winger, who is 16 years and 338 days old, will defeat Polish international Kacper Kozlowski, who competed in Euro 2020 at the age of 17 years and 246 days.

If Yamal scores during the tournament in Germany, he will break Johan Vonlanthen’s record for the youngest Euro goal scorer, established in 2004 against France for Switzerland.

Yamal has had a fantastic breakthrough season at Barcelona, having made his debut for the Catalan giants at the age of 15 the previous season.

Yamal made his Spain debut in September of last year, becoming the country’s youngest player and scored against Georgia in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Yamal was not even born when Croatia’s 38-year-old captain Luka Modric made his major tournament debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

“When I hear that kind of thing, I feel really old,” Modric quipped.

“Everyone will see him as the greatest danger for Spain, he’s got great potential and a great career in front of him.”

AFP