Lamine Yamal: the secrets of a record-breaking footballer

At Tbilisi's Boris Paichadze Stadium, Lamine Yamal made history. At 16 years and 57 days old, wearing the number 19, he became by far the youngest player to debut for Spain, a record that defines this exceptional talent. He did it with a spectacular goal in the second half as the national team unleashed its full potential, a crucial victory against Georgia (1-7) to secure three points and send a message to the world.

Lamine Yamal, a skillful forward who is already a force in the present and promises a bright future, also sends a message. His teammates have looked out for him from day one of the training camp in the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas, and Luis de la Fuente and his coaching staff are delighted with what they see.

"I'm very happy about everything. The victory, the records, and I hope everything continues this way," the young footballer said after his first minutes in the red shirt. Not even he dreamed of such a perfect debut. "I could imagine that it might happen at some point, but not this quickly, and everything going so well. I'm very happy. I've always dreamed of making my debut, and it was perfect this way."

Everyone highlights Lamine Yamal's maturity despite his age, a young man who maintains his pre-match routines in the national team. Music is a constant, always with headphones on: "I usually switch it up. At first, when I get on the bus, I start with Morat's music, which I really like. Then, as we get closer to the fiel, I listen to Brazilian music, which I also like a lot because of the beat. In the locker room, it's French music, Afro... a bit of everything."

Before stepping onto the pitch, Lamine listened to Luis de la Fuente's advice: "He told me to stay calm," he reveals. He was, he naturally is, and proof of that is the calmness with which he scored his first goal, a stunning one.

"It was a perfect play by Nico Williams, who did very well against his defender and left it perfectly for me. It just came naturally to shoot." Hugs, pats on the back, and a special congratulations from Nico, with whom he has become good friends. "He tells me to thank him, to thank him..."

He will forever remember September 8, 2023, a day impossible to forget. The shirts, one for his father and one for his mother. "They can keep them as a memento. I also have many stored away, and I'm going to keep this one too."

He has a long road ahead, but Lamine Yamal keeps things in perspective, a grounded young man: "I hope this is just the beginning, and I hope to win. To win many titles, many matches, score goals, and help the national team in any way I can."