Lamine Yamal Sets New Record As Youngest Player To Feature At UEFA EURO

Spain winger, Lamine Yamal, broke the record for being the youngest player in EURO history when he made his debut against Croatia.

Let’s take a look at the talented individuals who have made their mark on the tournament.

Lamine Yamal has set a new record as the youngest player to have played in a UEFA EURO finals match, appearing at just 16 years and 338 days old during the game against Croatia at EURO 2024.

The young talent from Barcelona surpassed the record set by Kacper Kozłowski of Poland, who made his tournament debut at EURO 2020 when he was only 17 years and days old.

Youngest player to feature 

Lamine Yamal (16 years 338 days)

The talented Spanish player was widely expected to break the record, and he secured his spot in the history books by starting against Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. 

Not only did he showcase impressive skills right away, but he also assisted Dani Carvajal’s goal in a 3-0 win. This achievement also made him the youngest player to provide an assist in an EURO finals.

EURO’s youngest players

16 years 338 days: Lamine Yamal (Spain 3-0 Croatia, 15/06/2024)

17 yrs 246 days: Kacper Kozłowski (Spain 1-1 Poland, 19/06/2021)

17 yrs 349 days: Jude Bellingham (England 1-0 Croatia, 13/06/2021)

18 yrs 71 days: Jetro Willems (Netherlands 0-1 Denmark, 09/06/2012)

18 yrs 115 days: Enzo Scifo (Belgium 2-0 Yugoslavia, 13/06/1984)

The youngest goalkeeper to appear

José Ángel Iribar (21 years 108 days)

Younger goalkeepers have been included in EURO squads Iker Casillas at UEFA EURO 2000 and Igor Akinfeev at UEFA EURO 2004 but Iribar made the mark as the youngest keeper during Spain’s 2-1 win against Hungary on 17 June 1964. Four days later he was also EURO’s youngest winning goalkeeper as his team beat the USSR 2-1.

Youngest player to score

Johan Vonlanthen (18 years 141 days)

The teenage midfielder made his finals debut at UEFA EURO 2004, on the day Wayne Rooney became the youngest scorer in EURO history with two goals against Vonlanthen’s Switzerland side.

Vonlanthen claimed the scoring record for himself by registering against France four days later, in a 3-1 defeat on 21 June.

Young player to appear in the knockout stage

Lamine Yamal (16 years 353 days)

Yamal has now surpassed the previous benchmark set by Jude Bellingham during EURO 2020.

The Spanish youngster not only began the 4-1 over Georgia in the of 16 at EURO 2024 but also assisted Fabián Ruiz to give Roja the lead after they had initially trailed.

Youngest player to appear in a final

Renato Sanches (18 years 328 days)

Having come to UEFA EURO 2016 fresh from joining Bayern from Benfica, midfielder Renato Sanches had a reputation to live up to.

He did so by showing tigerish determination to force his way into the first team and then appearing in Portugal’s shock final triumph against hosts France.

Youngest player to score in a final

Pietro Anastasi (20 years 64 days)

Anastasi scored a right-footed volley from outside the box during the 1968 final replay in Rome against Yugoslavia, increasing Italy’s lead, and also distinguishing him as the youngest EURO scorer ever.

Notably, Anastasi held the title of the world’s most expensive player when he transferred from Varese to Juventus in 1968.