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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Teenage forward rewriting record books</li><li>Has made more history at European Championship</li><li>On same path as other iconic figures</li></ul>

Topped Lionel Messi, Pele & Wayne Rooney! Spain & Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal destined for ‘greatness’ as Gary Lineker explains why England’s Euro 2024 final rival is ‘very special’

The Barcelona starlet turned 17 on July 13, the day before he graces the European Championship final against England. He has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-spain-sensation-emulate-pele-euro-2024-final/blt12826be6205ccc4a" target="_blank">shattering records and rewriting the history books,</a> with senior debuts for club and country being made at the ages of 15 and 16 respectively.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He has been among the goals on European Championship duty – with a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lamine-yamal-planned-mock-kylian-mbappe-ninja-turtles-mask-euro-2024-semi-final-france-spanish-wonderkid-history/blt6b7fd4c0c8941c2b" target="_blank">stunning strike recorded in a semi-final showdown with France</a> – and ex-England striker Lineker has told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/12/gary-lineker-lamine-yamal-blows-my-mind-ive-not-seen-anything-like-this " target="_blank">The Guardian</a> of what makes Yamal different: “I remember the emergence of Wayne Rooney. You could tell he was special but even he didn’t do this. Pele scored two in a World Cup final but he was 17, nearly 18. Even Messi didn’t really emerge internationally until his late teens. What we’re seeing here is something very, very special. How special, we will have to wait and see. To do what he is doing: I can’t quite get my head around it.”

WHAT LINEKER SAID

Former Barca frontman Lineker is reluctant to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-blessed-lionel-messi-barcelona-wonderkid-father-jokes-epic-photo-euro-2024-finalist-star/bltb0a590fba94587f0" target="_blank">compare one so young with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi</a>, but admits that Yamal is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ronaldinho-lionel-messi-lamine-next-why-barcelona-wonderkid-yamal-talent-all-time-greats-rafa-marquez/bltbd812be62e7f8b66" target="_blank">heading down a similar path</a>. He added: “I’ve not seen anything like this. Messi is from another planet and I don’t think you want to put that [comparison] on him, but there’s no question that if Lamine keeps his feet on the ground and doesn’t have serious injuries, he is going to be very special indeed. He already is: if you judge the players at this tournament and age is nothing to do with it, he would be top three or four. At 16 … he’s a child! Some kids live up to the expectations, a lot don’t. But with this kind of talent, I would be surprised if we don’t see some kind of greatness.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-lamine-yamal-what-spain-must-do-beat-england-euro-2024-final/bltd679f5aa4ad5d215" target="_blank">England will be charged with the task of trying to contain Yamal’s threat</a> when they line up against Spain in Berlin on Sunday. Gareth Southgate will need some kind of plan to contend with the talented teenager, as he plays without fear and is ready to further enhance his already blossoming reputation.

WHAT NEXT?

Topped Lionel Messi, Pele & Wayne Rooney! Spain & Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal destined for ‘greatness’ as Gary Lineker explains why England’s Euro 2024 final rival is ‘very special’ | Goal.com Tanzania

Gary Lineker has explained why Spain wonderkid Lamine Yamal is destined for “greatness”, with Lionel Messi, Pele and Wayne Rooney being topped.

Topped Lionel Messi, Pele &amp; Wayne Rooney! Spain &amp; Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal destined for ‘greatness’ as Gary Lineker explains why England’s Euro 2024 final rival is ‘very special’