Spain are officially heading to their first World Cup final since 2010 after an impressive 2–0 victory over France, with Lamine Yamal once again playing a vital role by winning the penalty that opened the scoring. Still only 19, the Barcelona winger has already built a remarkable career filled with record-breaking achievements, viral moments and deeply personal symbols. From his rapid rise for club and country to his scene-stealing little brother, here are five things to know about Spain’s biggest young star

He has been rewriting Spain’s records since he was 16

Photo: Instagram @lamineyamal

Yamal has been making history every time he pulls on a Spain shirt. On his senior debut against Georgia in September 2023, he scored at just 16 years and 57 days old to become the nation’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer. Less than a year later, he lit up Euro 2024 by becoming the tournament’s youngest player, goalscorer and champion, while picking up the Young Player of the Tournament award after registering a competition-high four assists. Now just 19, he has already helped fire Spain into the 2026 World Cup final, extending an incredible record of 12 wins from his first 12 starts across the Euros and World Cup.

He became Barcelona’s youngest-ever first-team player

Photo: Instagram @lamineyamal

Long before becoming the face of Spain’s new generation, Yamal was already rewriting Barcelona’s history books. After joining the club’s famed La Masia academy as a youngster, he raced through the youth ranks before Xavi Hernández handed him his senior debut against Real Betis in April 2023. At just 15 years and 291 days old, he became the youngest first-team player in Barcelona history. Just six months later, he scored his first goal against Granada, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest scorer in La Liga history at 16 years and 87 days.

His “304” celebration is a tribute to his hometown

Photo: Instagram @lamineyamal

Yamal’s signature goal celebration sees him form the numbers three, zero and four with his fingers, but it is much more than a celebration. "304" refers to the final three digits of 08304, the postcode of Rocafonda, the working-class neighbourhood in Mataró where he grew up. As his profile has soared, the gesture has become one of football’s most recognisable celebrations, even inspiring his adidas F50 LY304 signature boots. It is a simple but powerful way of showing that, no matter how big he becomes, he never forgets where he came from.

He was photographed with Lionel Messi as a baby

Photo: AP Photo/Joan Monfort

As two left-footed dribblers who both emerged from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, comparisons between Yamal and Lionel Messi have been inevitable. Their connection, however, began long before Yamal became a football sensation. In 2024, a series of photographs from a 2007 charity calendar shoot resurfaced, showing a 20-year-old Messi holding and bathing a six-month-old Yamal. The meeting was purely coincidental, years before anyone could have imagined the baby in Messi’s arms would grow into Barcelona’s next global superstar.

His little brother has become Spain’s viral superfan

Photo: Instagram @lamineyamal

Yamal may be Spain’s biggest attraction on the pitch at this year’s World Cup, but his three-year-old half-brother, Keyne, has become a fan favourite off it. Throughout the tournament, his enthusiastic cheering, playful expressions and joyful post-match celebrations have gone viral across social media, making him one of the breakout personalities in the stands. Yamal has often spoken about their close relationship, saying: "My little brother means everything to me. I'm in love with him; it feels like he's my son." Their heartwarming bond has only made Spain's World Cup journey even more memorable for fans.

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