Over the past two decades the football world had gotten used to an FC Barcelona forward tormenting the defenders, scoring outrageous goals, possessing exceptional playmaking skills, and lighting up the right wing. Three years after Lionel Messi’s exit from Barca, the Catalonian club may have done the impossible, and found a perfect replacement for the Argentine legend. Lamine Yamal, the youngster whose attacking prowess seems second to none, has successfully established himself as one of the most dangerous attackers in football with his performance at the Euro 2024 tournament where he became the youngest player to ever play in a major tournament final overtaking none other than Pele.

Born and raised in Catalonia, Lamine was co-parented by his father Mounir Nasraoui, and mother Sheila Abana. The couple had gotten divorced when Yamal was just three years old. Lamine arrived at FC Barcelona at the age of seven from his local club CF La Torreta. At La Masia, he raced through the age categories quicker than any other player of his age showing the potential that he holds.

A recent photo went viral of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi posing for a photo with Lamine Yamal, who at the time was just eight months old further strengthening the belief in fans all over the world that the two players are in some way connected.

Lamine’s family had won a raffle in the town of Mataró, Catalonia. The raffle was sponsored by Diario Sport and UNICEF and offered winners the chance to have pictures taken with Barcelona players.

Lamine’s rapid rise to prominence began when he started training with Barca’s first team at just 15 years old, at the request of coach Xavi Hernandez. He made his debut for the first team in April 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to represent the club.

After an impressive 2022/23 campaign, Lamine continued with the first team for preseason in 2023/24 and became a regular presence in the squad. He set multiple records for the club, including being the youngest player to reach 50 appearances and impressive goal-scoring and assisting tallies in various competitions.

Despite his young age, Lamine has already shown immense promise and is expected to be a key player for FC Barcelona in the years to come.

In just a matter of one single season, Lamal has grown accustomed to having his name in the record books. The 17-year-old is the youngest player to represent FC Barcelona at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days and scored seven goals in 50 appearances in the 2023/24 season.

He then went on to make his mark outside of La Liga at the 2024 European Championship where he ended the campaign as the Young Player of the Tournament having one goal and four assists to his name.

The whole world now knows the name of Lamine Yamal and will tune into Barcelona games to watch the young phenom play from the 2024/25 season.

Virgil van Dijk in an interaction with the referee during Netherlands vs England Euro 2024 semi-final.© AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s defeat against France in Euro 2024.© AFP

France go into Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final showdown against Spain hoping Kylian Mbappe can finally produce a performance worthy of his superstar status at a tournament in which he has struggled to find form and fitness.

The match in Munich is a mouthwatering prospect and a huge occasion in particular for Mbappe, in his first major tournament captaining his country and just before he starts a new chapter in his career at Real Madrid.

At 25, and having just completed his dream move to the Champions League winners, Mbappe should be in the prime of his footballing life.

But the man who won the World Cup as a teenager and scored an incredible hat-trick in the 2022 final in Qatar, has not been able to play anywhere near his best at the European Championship.

Mbappe joined up with the France squad after a difficult final campaign at Paris Saint-Germain which was marred by a slightly messy divorce from the club as his playing time was reduced.

Already floundering to some extent physically, lacking his usual explosive edge, a broken nose in Les Bleus’ opening game at the tournament against Austria has further diminished him.

He has scored just once, from a penalty, at the Euros and it may be no exaggeration to say his performance in Friday’s quarter-final against Portugal in Hamburg was the worst of his career in such a big game.

Mbappe ended up being substituted halfway through extra time — he later admitted he was simply exhausted — and so watched from the sidelines as his teammates won on penalties.

“He might not have been here at all, so we need to look at it in a positive light,” coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1 on Sunday.

“Kylian is here, even if he is not at 100 percent, and I know that has an impact on the opposition who are forced to adapt to him.”

Whether Spain are too worried is yet to be found out, with Mbappe clearly inhibited by the protective mask he has to wear over his injured nose.

There is little prospect of him challenging for a header, and he has indicated that his field of vision is reduced by the mask.

His poor form, along with that of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann, helps explain why France have scored just three goals in five games on their run to the semi-final — one being Mbappe’s penalty against Poland and the other two coming via own goals.

‘When he talks, we listen’

However, Mbappe’s teammates insist they are not worried about their captain’s performances.

“I don’t think he is going through a bad period. He had a great season. If he is not scoring goals we need to help him. The competition is not over. Apart from his little nose, he is fine,” said Randal Kolo Muani, who played with Mbappe at PSG in the last campaign, on Sunday.

Mbappe is France’s third-top scorer of all time with 48 goals in 83 appearances, but he has just two in his last nine caps.

In the meantime, he has settled into the role of captain which he was given after Hugo Lloris retired in the wake of the 2022 World Cup.

On Friday, after being substituted, television cameras caught Mbappe giving a rousing speech to his teammates just before the penalty shoot-out against Portugal.

“Kylian is the player who went through one-on-one three times in a World Cup final,” said midfielder Youssouf Fofana in reference to his hat-trick against Argentina in Doha.

“So when he talks about penalties before a shoot-out, we listen to him.”

Mbappe is also very much at ease in front of the media, and has notably used the platform given to him in pre-game press conferences to talk politics, making clear his opposition to the far-right National Rally in relation to the French parliamentary elections.

He is a natural leader, but it is goals that this shot-shy France team want more than anything from him.

Mbappe will not come directly up against one of his future club colleagues against Spain, with right-back Dani Carvajal suspended after his sending-off against Germany in the quarter-finals.

Whoever replaces Carvajal, Mbappe will hope to come out on top and lead France to a third final in the last four major tournaments.

Spain vs Germany Live Streaming Euro 2024 Quarter Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Austria vs Turkey Live Streaming Euro 2024 Round Of 16 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Spain vs Georgia Live Streaming Euro 2024 Round of 16 Live Telecast: Spain take on Georgia in Euro 2024 Round of 16. Spain are focussed on defeating debutants Georgia to reach the quarter-finals and so is their 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal after receiving some good news to clear his head. Before La Roja tackle their last 16 assignment in Cologne Yamal discovered he had passed his own — the country’s compulsory end of secondary school exams. Still studying when the tournament began in Germany little over a fortnight ago, he shone in Spain’s first two matches and was rested for the majority of the third with the team already through top of Group B.

While thoughts started to drift towards the knock-out rounds, Spain’s right winger was still waiting on his results.

Spain aced their “group of death” examination, overcoming Croatia, Italy and Albania to finish the opening phase with a 100 percent record and three clean sheets.

No other team managed either feat and after Spain came into the tournament without the favourites tag worn by France and England, now many are starting to believe in La Roja.

When will the Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match take place?

The Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match will take place on Monday, July 1 (IST).

Where will the Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match be played?

The Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match will be played at the Cologne Stadium, Germany.

What time will the Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match start?

The Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match?

The Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match?

The Spain vs Georgia, Euro 2024 Round of 16 match will be streamed live on SonyLiv app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

With AFP Inputs

Switzerland vs Germany Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s first win in Euro 2024.© AFP

Slovenia vs Serbia Live Streaming and Live Telecast, Euro 2024: Slovenia take on Serbia in a Group C match at Allianz Arena, Germany on Thursday. Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic said Wednesday his side could learn from their narrow 1-0 loss to England before Thursday’s crunch Slovenia game, having shown England “too much respect”. England dominated the first half taking the lead through a Jude Bellingham header after 13 minutes. Serbia however fought back into the game after half-time, forcing England to fight hard and hold on to claim all three points.

“Against England we started playing with too much respect for them, like they came from another planet,” the coach said.

“It should not be like that. We’ve played better against them later in the match and that’s how we’ll play against Slovenia.”

Denmark’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia in the other Group C fixture means Serbia can take a huge step towards reaching the knockouts with a win on Thursday in Munich.

A loss or a draw in that match would however represent a significant setback for the Serbs in their first European Championships as an independent country.

When will the Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match take place?

The Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match will take place on Thursday, June 20 (IST).

Where will the Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match be played?

The Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match will be played at the Allianz Arena, Germany.

What time will the Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match start?

The Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match will start at 06:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match?

The Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match?

The Slovenia vs Serbia, Euro 2024 match will be streamed live on SonyLiv app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

With PTI Inputs