By the end of this past European Championship, it became impossible not to know the name “Lamine Yamal” and the story of the young star the world celebrated all summer. On June 15, 2024, Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player featured in the tournament, making his debut against Croatia at only 16 years old. Yamal consistently draws both praise and criticism, yet always manages to come out on top.
Luis de la Fuente, Spanish Men’s National Football Team head coach, did not just place Yamal on the starting roster to break age-based records. Yamal played well beyond his lack of experience, serving as a crucial piece to Spain’s undefeated journey to the finals. By providing four assists throughout the divisional round, including three in the knockout stage, Yamal became the first player to score or assist in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final of a single Euro Cup.
With his impressive skill, one would believe that Yamal’s support would remain unwavering throughout the tournament. Nevertheless, where there is talent, there will be talk, and despite all of his accomplishments, many critics of Yamal seem to still be asking for more. Such was seen for the first time before the Euro semi-finals between Spain and France, when French midfielder Adrien Rabiot criticized Yamal.
“It’s up to us to put pressure on him and to take him out of his comfort zone,” Rabiot said. “And to reach a final at the Euros, he needs to do more than he’s done up until now.”
Undermining Yamal’s efforts was crucial to La Roja remaining the top team to beat all summer. However, Rabiot would regret his comments hours later, as Yamal entered the semi-final match and scored his first goal of the tournament. Noting his opponent’s concerns, Yamal stated, “Speak now” in celebration back to Rabiot, later posting “checkmate” to his Instagram story. Yamal not only broke another record but also made a joke of the veteran player questioning his efforts, ending the competition with both the Euro Cup and the honour of being crowned the Young Player of the Tournament.
One would believe that after Rabiot’s embarrassing attempts to talk down to the young star, players would steer clear from questioning Yamal. Unfortunately, former Dutch footballer turned commentator Rafael van der Vaart did not catch this memo. Last week marked the Union of European Football Associations Nations League qualifying round for the semi-finals, where many familiar faces, including Yamal and the Spanish men’s football team, competed again. The tournament remained business as usual up until Spain’s final match against the Netherlands, with both teams hoping to move on to the final four rounds, played in June. Before the match, van der Vaart launched unprovoked negative comments at Yamal, including commenting on Yamal’s loose shorts, his supposed lack of effort, and superficial gestures after scoring.
“[There are] things that are starting to bother me a little,” van der Vaart said. “No matter how good you are, at that age, you have to prove it every minute and in every game.”
And prove himself, Yamal certainly did. Scoring Spain’s third goal in a pulsating 3-3 draw, he brought his team into a penalty shoot-out, winning a ticket to the semifinals. Upon taking his goal, Yamal solidified his win. After tugging down his pants and posing for the camera as a goal celebration, he later wrote on his Instagram, “Pants down, a goal, a missed penalty and INTO THE SEMIFINAL, COME ON SPAIN,” serving as a mockery towards his most recent hater.
Despite his age, Yamal has never shied away from responding to criticism from senior or retired players. If those in the league have learned anything about Spain’s star, it’s that he will continue to break records and, in the end, always get the last laugh.
