Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has been called up by Spain and will become the youngest player to ever represent the country if he plays against Georgia or Cyprus this month.
At just 16-year-old, Yamal hit another milestone on Friday when he was called up to the senior national team for the first time and he would become Spain’s youngest ever player if Coach Luis de la Fuente calls on the teenager in the games on September 8 and 12 respectively. Yamal would break the record of his Barcelona team-mate Gavi.
Gavi became the youngest player to play for Spain during a 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, who wore the shirt at the age of 17 years and 284 days in a friendly.
The baton can now be picked up by Yamal, who may add a new record to a growing collection, which began when he became the youngest ever Barca debutant in La Liga, against Real Betis in April at 15 years and 9 months old.
“I’m very happy to be able to get this record, but I hope I can break more,” the young left-footed player, who can play in all three attacking positions, told the club website at the time,”he said.
Yamal will be 16 years and 57 days old when Spain play Georgia in a qualifying game for next summer’s European Championship on Friday, September 8.
Born in Spain, Yamal is also eligible to play for Morocco and Equatorial Guinea through his parents.
He has played for Spain at U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels, but World Cup semifinalists Morocco had made moves to get him to consider switching his allegiance recently.
However, following a meeting with delegates from the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] last week, Yamal agreed to pledge his international future to Spain.
“Lamine knew he wanted to come with us, he has shown that with the youth teams previously,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Friday.
Lamine Yamal was a key factor in Barcelona’s thrilling comeback win at Villarreal last week.
“He is an exceptional player, blessed with magic. He’s different. I never look at the age of a player, I look at their ability and the level they are playing at and I think he is ready to come with us.”
Yamal made his Barça debut earlier this year while he was still 15 and has featured in all three of the club’s LaLiga games so far this season, starting the last two.
Yamal was named player of the match in last weekend’s 4-3 win at Villarreal, when he set up two goals, with coach Xavi Hernandez saying Barca hold “big expectations” for the teenager
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