LAMINE YAMAL will aim to deliver top marks for Spain at Euro 2024 after taking his homework to Germany.
The Barcelona wonderkid, 16, is set to be the youngest player to appear at a Euros final against Croatia in Berlin on Saturday.
Winger Yamal will be 16 years and 338 days, breaking Brighton and Poland midfielder Kacper Kozłowski’s record of 17 years and 246 days at Euro 2020.
Yamal said: “I’ve brought my homework with me because I’m finishing high school. I have classes on the web and I’m doing well, I hope the teacher doesn’t fail me.”
Yamal has had a stunning breakthrough season at Barca and the teen star has already played 57 games for club and country this term, scoring nine goals.
But, rather than preparing for his summer holidays like most kids his age, Yamal – viewed as one of the best young talents in the world – is dreaming of success on Europe’s biggest stage.
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Yamal, who turns 17 in July, added: “Before, I was watching the Euros lying on the sofa with my mother.
“We’re not here for a stroll, but to make history. I hope to go far in the Euros.”
After his Barca debut in La Liga in April 2023, the 5ft 7in star became Spain’s youngest debutant at 16 years, 57 days in the September of the same year, scoring in a 7-1 European qualifier in Georgia after coming on at half time.
He broke both of Gavi’s records by becoming the youngest player and goalscorer for La Roja.
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The seven-cap wideman is now a starters for Luis de la Fuente’s side and he set up two goals in last Saturday’s 5-1 friendly win over Northern Ireland in Mallorca.
But 21-year-old Pedri says his team-mate for club and country does not need any help ahead of future Group B clashes against Italy and Albania.
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Pedri said: “There’s little advice I can give him. On the pitch he doesn’t think too much about the pressure. He has fun playing and you can see that. If there’s anything I can help him with, I will.”
Spain Euro 2024 guide
SPAIN’S team may not be a patch on the one that dominated world football 15 years ago – which had superstars coming out of its ears.
But they still topped a qualifying group consisting of Scotland and Erling Haaland’s Norway by winning nine out of ten games.
MANAGER: Luis de la Fuente
Surprise choice as coach but won the Under-21 Euros in 2019 and an Olympic silver medal a year later.
KEY MAN: Rodri
Rodri is arguably the greatest holding midfielder the Premier League has ever seen. But will he have enough left in the tank after complaints of tiredness at Man City?
How Spain attack
Spain will be a different side to that which we have seen in recent years, with the 4-3-3 replaced by a more structured 4-2-3-1 formation.
The full-backs, attacking midfielders and wingers are all ready to push forward while Rodri and Fabian Ruiz sit deep in the quarterback role.
How Spain defend
Spain’s two deep midfielders allow the rest of the team to push forward and press high up the pitch.
Their focus will be on either dispossessing the opposition defence or forcing opponents to play long by cutting off the short pass option.
Read the full Spain Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
