Lamine Yamal has received a commendation from Brazilian great Pele, whose records he has been breaking
Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal has received the seal of approval from an unlikely source as Bazilian football legend Pele celebrated the teenager on his birthday.
Yamal has broken a few of Pele’s records with his performances for Spain in the 2024 European Championship, and could still reach more milestones in the final against England.
Yamal smashes Pele’s records
The Barcelona youngster became the youngest player to appear at the Euros, making his competition debut as a 16-year-old in Spain’s opening game against Croatia, where he provided the assist for Dani Carvajal’s goal.
Since making his tournament debut, Yamal has been the driving force behind Spain’s run to the final and his appearance against France made him the youngest-ever player to partake in a Euros or World Cup semifinal, eclipsing Pele’s record set in 1958, also against Les Bleus.
Pele wishes Yamal well ahead of Euros final
Yamal could eclipse another of Pele’s records by playing in the Euros final as he could also become the youngest player to appear in the final of the European Championship or World Cup. He would be aged 17 years and one day, while Pele was 17 years and 249 days old when he played in the final of the 1958 World Cup against Sweden.
On the eve of Yamal’s 17th birthday, which is one day before the final, the Spanish teenager received a congratulatory message from Pele’s official Instagram account, managed for the late Brazil icon by his foundation.
The picture on Pele’s official Instagram account congratulated Yamal for breaking Pele’s record by becoming the youngest player to appear in the Euros or World Cup.