Wonderkid Yamal ready to lead young Spain side

MADRID : Spain has become one of European soccer's most fertile grounds for producing world-class players who seem to break out at ever younger ages, with Barcelona's 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal the latest to make headlines and ready to star at Euro 2024.

Following in the footsteps of fellow Barca academy teenage sensations Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati, Yamal has established himself as an important part of Barca's forward line and is expected to be highly influential at the tournament.

Yamal will turn 17 one day before the final, as Spain brace for the challenge of a highly anticipated Group B showdown in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside Croatia, European champions Italy and surprise package Albania in Germany.

Spain have been relying on young players as they try to rise from the shadows of a golden generation who enjoyed an historic six-year spell, winning back to back Euros in 2008 and 2012 while lifting the nation's first World Cup in between in 2010.

Pedri was a key part of Spain's run to the semi-finals of the last European Championship and, along with his club performances, won the 2021 Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21.

He was followed by his team mate Gavi, who won the two trophies the following year and was Spain's darling at Qatar 2022, where he became the youngest World Cup scorer since Pele in 1958 after helping his side to thrash Costa Rica 7-0.

But Yamal emerged from Barca's La Masia academy to break several records in 2023, some of which belonged to Gavi including Barcelona's youngest debutant in an official match and Spain's youngest international and scorer aged 16.

Yamal has thrived under the guidance of Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, who has experience with young