In the fiercely competitive world of football, where legends are forged over decades, the emergence of a true prodigy is a rare and electrifying event. Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, known simply as Lamine Yamal, is that phenomenon. Bursting onto the scene with a breathtaking blend of skill, maturity, and fearlessness, he has rewritten the record books before even leaving his teenage years behind. To understand the hype and the reality of this incredible talent, here are 48 fascinating facts about Lamine Yamal.

The Prodigious Beginning & Personal Life

1. Full Name: His full name is Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, reflecting his heritage.
2. Heritage: He is of Spanish and Moroccan descent, making him eligible to represent both nations at the international level.
3. Date of Birth: Lamine Yamal was born on July 13, 2007, in Mataró, a city in the Catalonia region of Spain.
4. Zodiac Sign: He is a Cancer, a sign often associated with loyalty and a strong protective instinct—perhaps for the ball!
5. Father’s Roots: His father, Mounir Nasraoui, is from Morocco, specifically from the rural village of Ait Ourir near Marrakesh.
6. Mother’s Roots: His mother, Sheila Ebana, is from Equatorial Guinea but was raised in the same Catalan region as Lamine, in a town called Hostalets de Pierola.
7. Cultural Connection: Despite his global fame, he remains deeply connected to his father’s Moroccan roots and visits the family village regularly.
8. The Name “Lamine”: A common name in North and West Africa, “Lamine” is of Arabic origin (الامين, al-Amīn), meaning “the trustworthy” or “the honest one.”
9. Childhood Team: Like countless kids in Catalonia, his dream was always to play for FC Barcelona. He wasn’t just a fan; he was a canterano—a youth academy player.
10. Early Start: He joined the famed La Masia academy at the incredibly young age of 5, entering the pre-benjamín team in 2012.
11. A Father’s Sacrifice: His father played a crucial role in his early career, driving him to training and matches for years, dedicating immense time and effort to support his son’s dream.
12. Education: He balances his football training with his studies, attending school like any other child his age, a requirement for all La Masia residents.
13. Idols: Growing up, his football idol was another Barcelona legend who wore the number 10: Lionel Messi.

The Meteoric Rise at FC Barcelona

14. Rapid Ascent: His progression through the Barcelona youth ranks was astonishingly fast. He consistently played with and dominated age groups two or three years above his own.
15. Youth Team Dominance: In the 2022-23 season, as a 15-year-old, he scored over 20 goals for the U-19 team in the Juvenil División de Honor.
16. Historic Debut: He made his official first-team debut for FC Barcelona on April 29, 2023, in a La Liga match against Real Betis at the age of 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days.
17. Youngest Ever: With that debut, he became the youngest player ever to play an official match for FC Barcelona, breaking a record previously held by club legend Albert Albesa since 1941.
18. First Assist: In his very first start for Barça in May 2023 against Real Valladolid, he provided an assist for Robert Lewandowski.
19. Contract Saga: His immense talent sparked a major contractual battle. European giants like Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund showed serious interest, but his heart was always set on staying at Barcelona.
20. Professional Contract: He finally signed his first professional contract with Barcelona in July 2023, on his 16th birthday, legally the earliest date he could sign it.
21. Release Clause: That first professional contract included a mammoth release clause set at a staggering €1 billion euros, a clear statement from the club that he is considered untouchable and a future cornerstone.
22. La Liga Starter: He quickly became a regular starter under manager Xavi Hernández, who showed immense faith in the teenager’s abilities.
23. First Goal: He scored his first official goal for Barcelona on October 8, 2023, in a 2-2 draw against Granada, becoming the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history at 16 years and 87 days.
24. Champions League Debut: He made his UEFA Champions League debut on September 19, 2023, in a 5-0 win over Royal Antwerp.
25. Youngest UCL Starter: In that match, he became the youngest player to ever start a Champions League match at 16 years and 68 days.
26. Signature Move: He is known for his incredible dribbling, close control, and a trademark move where he cuts inside from the right wing onto his left foot, reminiscent of a certain Lionel Messi.
27. Jersey Number: After initially wearing number 27, he was given the prestigious number 19 jersey for the 2023-24 season, previously worn by players like Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi early in his career.

Record-Breaking International Career

28. Dual Eligibility: As mentioned, he could have chosen to represent Spain, Morocco, or Equatorial Guinea (through his mother).
29. The Choice: After much speculation, he committed to the Spanish national team, the country of his birth.
30. Historic Call-Up: He received his first call-up to the Spanish senior team in September 2023 for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.
31. Youngest La Roja Player: He made his debut on September 8, 2023, in a 7-1 win over Georgia, becoming the youngest player to ever represent Spain at 16 years and 57 days, breaking a record set by Gavi in 2021.
32. Youngest Goalscorer: In that same debut match, he also scored a goal, making him Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer.
33. Euro 2024 Selection: He was a surprise inclusion in Spain’s final squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
34. Tournament Record: By playing at Euro 2024, he became the youngest player ever to participate in the European Championship, breaking a record held by Kacper Kozłowski since Euro 2020.
35. Assist King: At Euro 2024, he demonstrated his incredible vision, topping the tournament’s assist charts and playing a key role in Spain’s run to the final.
36. Final Appearance: He started in the Euro 2024 final against England, solidifying his status as a key player for his national team on the world’s biggest stage.

Playing Style & Attributes

37. Position: He is primarily a right winger who plays as an inverted forward, but he is also capable of playing on the left or even as a central attacking midfielder.
38. Stronger Foot: He is predominantly left-footed, which makes his cutting inside from the right wing so dangerous.
39. Two-Footedness: While his left is his wand, he is increasingly comfortable using his right foot for passes and finishes, making him less predictable.
40. Key Strengths: His most notable attributes are his dizzying dribbling skills, explosive acceleration, exceptional balance, and vision for a final pass.
41. Maturity: Perhaps his most remarkable trait is his footballing IQ and composure on the ball. He rarely looks rushed or nervous, playing with a calmness that belies his age.
42. Physical Development: Despite his youthful appearance, he has shown impressive physical strength and an ability to hold off defenders, a trait that will only improve with age.

The Person Behind the Player

43. Celebrations: His goal celebration involves forming an “L” and a “Y” with his fingers, for his initials, Lamine Yamal.
44. Schoolwork on the Road: Even while at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, he was required to complete and submit school homework online, keeping him grounded.
45. A Proud Father: Mounir Nasraoui is his son’s biggest fan and most vocal supporter, often seen celebrating wildly in the stands.
46. Social Media: He is active on Instagram (@lamineyamal), where he shares moments from his career and personal life with millions of followers.
47. The Future: He is universally regarded as one of, if not the, most exciting prospect in world football, with the potential to define a generation.
48. The Ultimate Fact: In a beautiful full-circle moment, he broke a record held by his childhood idol. His assist for Dani Olmo in the Euro 2024 final made him the youngest player to ever provide an assist in the final of the European Championship. The previous record holder? Lionel Messi, in the 2007 Copa América final. The student is following in the footsteps of the master, and the world of football cannot wait to see what he does next.

Lamine Yamal’s story is still in its earliest chapters, but each page is already filled with historic achievements and breathtaking moments. He is not just a player for the future; he is a superstar of the present, a testament to the power of dreams, and a fascinating figure who has captivated the footballing world.