Dressed in Spain’s retro tracksuit, the one that pays homage to the clothing worn by the Federation at the 1996 European Championships and which features the crest inspired by the work of Joan Miró, Mounir Nasroui, Lamine Yamal’s father, walked through the centre of Cologne. “These clothes are worn by those who know,” he said, laughing. He was accompanied by his nephew, who works as the Barcelona star’s chauffeur (he can’t drive yet) and a person he trusts. Lamine’s mother, Sheila Ebana, went straight to the hotel where La Roja was staying. Both of them, in any case, were present at the stadium to see the sensational child of the European Championships. “How many players have done what my son is doing at that age?” Mounir Nasroui asked the people around him. The answer was rhetorical: no one. Lamine Yamal, who is about to turn 17 on 13 July, has broken all records for precocity in Germany. He is just missing a goal, for now.
“Lamine has had many chances, but he hasn’t been able to convert them. He’s saving them for Germany,” said Rodri. Lamine Yamal is the Spanish player who has created the most chances in the Euros: 11. “We have to keep our feet on the ground with Lamine,” said Luis De la Fuente. “He had a great game, but I’m sure he’ll do better,” added the Spanish coach. Against Georgia, the number 17 had a record of seven shots and six chances created. There is only one other player who has generated more than five shots and created more than five chances in a match in the history of the Euros: Zinedine Zidane against England in 2004: six and six.
“At certain moments he lacked more composure in one-on-ones. He faces things with a lot of confidence, but he lacked a bit of calm,” De la Fuente concluded. In Germany, Lamine has attempted 25 dribbles, 11 of which were successful. He has the best record for La Roja, followed by his friend Nico Williams with 24 (nine). The Athletic forward, however, has already made his debut in the net. problem for Yamal. “This week I think he’s going to have to put up with me because he hasn’t scored,” Nico Williams joked; “I hope next time he can shut me up. We challenge each other and we complement each other very well, and well, I hope we do very well.” Lamine’s response was not long in coming. “He’s going to be a bit annoying. I’ve already told him not to start,” the Barcelona striker began. And, without joking, he finished: “No, I’m very happy for him and that he scored.”
The complicity between Yamal and Williams is reflected in the joy of La Roja. “They infect us with their youth and their innocence,” Rodri celebrated. Right after the match against Georgia, Nico and Lamine challenged each other to a Rock-paper-scissors to earn the right to drink water from a bottle. The winner? Williams, who drank first. “If that allows them to be happy and play their best football, welcome. They played a great game, they are two important pieces,” Rodri concluded. “He doesn’t want to give me the bottle of water. We always do it like that, we draw lots,” explained the Lezama-seasoned striker.
From playing to dancing, Lamine and Nico paid tribute to one of their idols in Cologne. “I watched videos of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo on YouTube,” Williams recalls. “I would like to play with Neymar,” Lamine says. After Nico’s goal, the two got together to recreate the Brazilian’s now historic choreography in the Santos shirt: the one from the song Tchu Tcha Tcha Flavel & Neto. “It’s a dream come true, every kid wants to play in a Euro Cup and score a goal for the national team,” Williams said. Now, Lamine’s goal is still to come. On the agenda: Germany, next Friday in Stuttgart. They are fighting to earn a place among the four best teams in the Euro Cup.
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