I believe you've seen Barcelona star Lamine Yamal rocking the flags of three nations on his boot while playing for FC Barcelona.

And when he's called up for international duty to represent the Spanish national team, just like in the Euro 2024, Lamine Yamal's footwear bares only two flags, and you're wondering why? 

I'll explain.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The teenage wonderkid continues to be a driving force for Spain at Euro 2024, shattering the record for the youngest men's Euro player in his debut against Croatia and becoming the youngest goalscorer in the European Championships with a stunning effort from outside the box against France in the semi-final to help Spain book a place in the final.

THE RECORDS

The Spanish gem was only 16 years and 338 days old when he made his competition debut, beating Poland's Kacper Kozłowski, who made his debut at EURO 2020 at the age of just 17 years and 246 days. 

Also, Lamine Yamal, at 16 years and 362 days old, becomes the youngest player ever to score at the European Championship, beating the previous holder, Johan Vonlanthen (18 years and 141 days).

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lamine Yamal has continued to light up the German arenas in Euro 2024 since his debut. 

Mesmerizing, yet direct. Entertaining yet destructive. Keeping the audience on their feet and the defenders on their toes. 

And finally, a stunner-of-a-goal against France in the semi-final of the competition to rewrite history. What were you doing when you were 16?

DID YOU KNOW?

Kit suppliers adidas has produced a special pair of custom boots for the exciting winger. 

Lamine Yamal footwear for the Spanish national team has two flags stitched into it. The first one is the flag of Morocco, and the second is that of Equatorial Guinea.

Why? Yamal decides to honor those countries with flags as the respective birthplaces of his father and mother.

And when it comes to playing for his club Barça, Lamine Yamal footwear has the flags of three countries stitched into it. The first flag is Spain; next is Morocco; and third is Equatorial Guinea. 

Lamine partners with Adidas to add the country he's representing on international duty, which is Spain.

WHY NOT MOROCCO?

Morocco had hoped to see Lamine Yamal play for them at one stage, with the president of their FA, Fouzi Lekjaa, saying in 2023: 

“We conveyed our project to him and his family, but Lamine was already convinced about going to Spain. Spain and Morocco are separated by 14 kilometers, and it is normal for these things to happen. I respect Lamine.”

WHAT NEXT?

Lamine Yamal was born in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona metropolitan area. Since his debut for FC Barcelona at just 15 years of age, he's continued to be a point of difference in every competition.

The winger reaches a half century of games as a blaugrana at the age of 16 years, 10 months, and six days, beating Bojan Krkic's record while also earning 13 caps for the Spanish national team.

He is already a Liga title winner, racked up four assists in Euro 2024, including one for Dani Olmo against Germany, to become the first player aged under 20 to register three assists at a UEFA European Championship, and another for Nico Williams in the final against England to become the youngest player to win the Euros at 17 years and 1 day, taking the mantle from Renato Sanches, who was 18 years and 328 days old when he won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.  

We hope to see him lift the champions league next with FC Barcelona and maybe the 2026 world cup with the Spanish national team to wrap up his already envious professional football career.