'I brought my homework' - Lamine Yamal makes startling Euro 2024 admission as Spain starlet prepares to make history

Unlike most 16-year-old's who soon will be preparing for their summer holidays, winger Lamal looks set to feature for Spain in the upcoming Euros in Germany. In a breakout season for the teenager, he has racked up the games for Barca and earned seven caps for Spain. However, the 5ft 10in player admits he still has to keep his teachers happy by doing his school homework over the course of the tournament.

He told Spanish publication AS: "I was watching the European Championship lying on the sofa with my mother. We're not here for a stroll, but to make history. I hope to go far in the Euro, so I'll watch the Games on TV. I've brought my homework because I'm in the 4th year of ESO (the last year of compulsory school study), I have classes on the web and I'm doing well; I hope the teacher doesn't search me."

Lamal made headlines when he became Barcelona's youngest first-team player in more than a century, making his debut at the age of 15 in April 2023. Since then, he has played 51 times for the first team and scored seven goals to boot. He is one of the biggest young talents in the world and the Euros could be when he announces himself on the international stage.

Yamal, who turns 17 in July, will hope to play some part of Spain's Euros opener against Croatia on Saturday, June 15, or versus Italy five days later, or in their final group stage match against Albania on June 24.