VK Sanju
In a paradoxical twist, as Class X exams come to a close, our children enter a rat race for Plus-One admissions. Yet, amidst this flurry, young Spanish prodigy Lamin Yamal races after a different dream – running after the soccer ball. With anticipation building, he awaits his moment on the grand stage, poised to make his mark in the final of the European Football Championship. It is then that he will savour the sweetness of victory in this monumental tournament, ready to share its sweetness with his neighbours in Rocafonda!
This melting pot of humble immigrants from North Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe – Rocafonda - is home to Yamal's uncle Abdul who runs a modest bakery. At the entrance, a charming picture of young Yamal in his Barcelona jersey is displayed, adorned with the national flags of Spain, Morocco, and Equatorial Guinea - a homage to his father's Moroccan heritage and his mother's roots in Equatorial Guinea. Yet, for Yamal, Spain is now his sole homeland. The fervent Spanish football fans, particularly after the electrifying Euro Cup semi-finals, are resolute in their claim over this rising star, unwilling to let him don any other nationality.
Yamal's grandmother Fatima embarked on a journey from Morocco to Spain 35 years ago, laying the foundation for her family's new life in this foreign land. Born in Spain, Yamal's early years were marked by the separation of his parents, which led him to live with his mother, Sheila Ebana, for a time. It was during this period that Yamal's destiny took a turn towards the football field, thanks to a serendipitous encounter with a local footballer named Innocent Diaz at the fast-food shop where his mother worked as a waitress. Recognizing Yamal's potential, Diaz introduced him to the football club in La Torreta and facilitated his enrollment, setting the ball rolling for a promising career.
When Diaz walked into the club, holding the hand of the little boy, he prophetically declared that this very hand would one day sign a contract with Barcelona. The young Yamal, too innocent to grasp the weight of these words, was unaware of the journey that lay ahead. However, Barcelona soon caught wind of Yamal’s extraordinary talent, and the call came. At the tender age of seven, he entered the prestigious La Masia Academy, the same hallowed ground that nurtured the wizard Lionel Messi. The rest, as they say, is woven into the rich tapestry of Barcelona’s history, La Liga, the Champions League, Spanish football, and the Euro Cup.
Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, graced social media with an exhilarating photograph of the legendary Lionel Messi cradling infant Yamal on his lap, captioned, "The beginning of two legends." The power of the left foot, the uncanny ability to conjure scoring opportunities from the slightest chances and the versatility as a central forward, right winger and attacking midfielder have long been celebrated as Messi magic. Yet now, these same accolades belong to Yamal too. His stellar performance in the Euro Cup has earned him the right to claim such prowess, marking his place among the greats.
In the semi-finals of Euro 2020, Yamal's powerful long-range shot soared into the right corner of the goalpost, leaving France's goalkeeper Mike Maignan utterly stunned. This was no ordinary goal; it was a moment that resonated deeply through the hearts of millions of football lovers across the globe.
Lamine Yamal's record-breaking journey:
The youngest player to play in the semi-finals of a major international tournament (World Cup, Euro Cup and Copa America). Pele was 17 years and 244 days old when he played in the 1958 World Cup. Yamal was just 16 years and 362 days old when he played in the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
The youngest player to score a goal in a major tournament. Pele was 17 years and 239 years old when he scored his first goal for Brazil.
The youngest player to make his debut for Barcelona.
The youngest player to score a goal in LaLiga (Spanish Football League).
The youngest Barca player to play in the Champions League.