Meet Lamine Yamal, the rising football talent dubbed ‘mini Messi’: the Adidas-sponsored player was the youngest ever to score in the Euros, and has a US$1 billion buyout clause with Barcelona

Jul 17 , 2024

Who is football star Lamine Yamal, who’s 17 and already breaking records? Photo: @lamineyamal/Instagram

The sky seems to be the limit for Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday a day before competing for his country in the 2024 Uefa European Championship final on Sunday – and winning

His age has already seen him break multiple records in Spain, his contract with Barcelona has a US$1 billion buyout clause, and he’s making millions from Adidas – just like his idol, Lionel Messi

Pundits and football fans alike shook their heads in wonder as Lamine Yamal stood alongside his teammates on the winner’s podium on Sunday night’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin. Not only is he now the youngest ever Euro or World Cup finalist, but it was announced afterwards that Uefa had crowned him Young Player of the Tournament.

Lamine Yamal (left) celebrates with his Spanish teammates after winning the Uefa 2024 European Championships in Germany. Photo: @sefutbol/Instagram

And those records and accolades are just the latest in a string of achievements by the youngster since he burst onto the scene aged 15. Even former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández – who played alongside Lionel Messi for years – said he’d never in his life “seen a player of this quality”, according to the BBC.

So just who is the young footballer who may yet turn out to be the greatest the world has ever seen?

How old is Lamine Yamal?

Lamine Yamal, already a football legend, is only 17 years old. Photo: @hustle_hard_304/Instagram

Lamine Yamal was born on July 13, 2007, meaning he celebrated his 17th birthday the day before the Euro 2024 final.

What is Lamine Yamal’s background?

Lamine Yamal (right) with his father, Moroccan Mounir Nasraoui, during a Muslim holiday in 2019. Photo: @hustle_hard_304/Instagram

Yamal was reportedly born in Catalonia to migrant parents Mounir Nasraoui, who is Moroccan, and Sheila Ebana, who hails from Guinea Equatorial. His full name is Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana.