CORNERFLICK
Lamine Yamal is closing in on one of the World Cup’s rarest records as Spain prepare for their semi-final against France. If Spain beat France and then win the final, the forward would become one of the youngest winners in the tournament’s history at 19.
Only Pelé, Ronaldo Nazário and Giuseppe Bergomi would have claimed the prize at a younger age, with Yamal set to sit alongside Brazil’s Coutinho among the competition’s youngest champions.
His rise has prompted comparisons with other modern greats at the same age. Kylian Mbappé was already starring for France at the 2018 World Cup, scoring twice and setting up another goal against Argentina before finding the net in the final against Croatia.
Lionel Messi’s first World Cup came in 2006, when he was just short of 19 and scored against Serbia, but he remained behind established names in Argentina’s squad. Harry Kane was still in youth football for England at the same age and did not make his senior debut until he was 21.
Yamal’s World Cup form has already put him in rare company. If Spain go all the way, his name will move even closer to the top of the tournament’s list of teenage achievers.