Lamine Yamal: Spain, Barcelona, Age 16
Youngest to score in a Euro. Youngest to win a MoM in a Euro. Yamal’s bucket is overflowing with ‘youngest’ records. His goal against France, curled from outside the box, will be talked about alongside the goals of Marco Van Basten and Paul Gascoigne.
His skills are outrageous, and his maturity (at 16 years and 362 days) belies reason. At no stage in has Yamal showed any sign of nerves. His exploits in La Liga for Barca had made waves, and Yamal made this Euro his graduation ceremony. As Xavi says, “He will mark an era.”
Jamal Musiala: Germany, Bayern Munich, Age 21
Not an unknown quantity. It is Musiala’s second Euro. In between, he has represented Germany in the Qatar World Cup too. He lit up this Euro after scoring three times in the first four games.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann says the “brilliant” Musiala must keep playing “like he is on a small pitch in Germany or England with his friends”. With the German old guard taking a bow after their quarterfinal exit, it’s time for Musiala to carry the torch ahead for Die Mannschaft.
Arda Guler: Turkiye, Real Madrid, Age 19
The La Liga season was nearing its end and Carlo Ancelotti introduced a baby-faced striker who had already made his name as Turkish Messi. His thunderous strike with his favoured left-foot against Georgia made the world take notice.
He failed to add to his tally over the rest of the tournament, but Guler still played a pivotal role as Turkey made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost to the Netherlands. Back in 2022, Mesut Ozil told the teenager: “You will be a world star.” He has become one in Germany.
Kobbie Mainoo: England, Manchester United, Age 19
His season-ending goal in the FA Cup final against Man City has become an Old Trafford folklore but Mainoo cemented a place in the England midfield in this Euro. At the age of 19 years and 82 days, Mainoo became the youngest-ever to represent England in the semifinals of a major.
His tender age never became a deterrent as he took charge of the midfield and caught the eye with his silken turns and sudden acceleration. Mainoo’s poise, balance, intelligence and work ethic will serve England for many years to come.
Bart Verbruggen: Netherlands, Brighton, Age 21
Youngest keeper to play in the Euro for 60 years, the 1.93m shot stopper has made his name in this Euro. He made key stops in their 2-1 opening group game win over Poland. Against France, he kept an impressive clean sheet.
It was in the closing stages of the quarterfinal against Turkey though that Verbruggen really came to the fore. Turkey threw everything they had at ruining the Dutch turnaround. Verbruggen made a one-handed reaction save from Kerem Akturkoglu. It booked the Dutch a semifinal spot.
