Lamine Yamal surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo's record after incredible Euro 2024 knockout round performances
Spain’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal’s historic Euro 2024 performance saw him surpass Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s assist tally in knockout games at major international tournaments.
Yamal, playing in his first major international tournament, recorded three assists in four knockout games at the Germany showpiece. That is one more than the Real Madrid icon has managed in 22 knockout games in World Cups and Euros.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s assists in major tournament knockouts have all come in the Euros. He recorded his first in the semi-finals of the 2004 edition against the Netherlands. His second assist came against Wales in the semi-finals of Portugal’s victorious Euro 2016 campaign.
Yamal has played in all seven games for Spain as La Roja became the first team to win every single match at a European Championship. He registered an assist in the 3-0 win over Croatia in the group stage, before setting up two more goals in the knockout games against Georgia and hosts Germany.
He then scored a long-range stunner to spark Spain’s comeback win over France in the semi-finals, before setting up Nico Williams to open the scoring in the final against England. Overall, Yamal recorded a goal and four assists, helping Spain clinch a record fourth European Championship title a day after his 17th birthday.
The Barcelona forward has been breaking records ever since his professional debut for the club in a La Liga game against Real Betis in April 2023. At 15 years, nine months, and 16 days, he became the youngest-ever player to play for Barca, as well as becoming the youngest La Liga debutant.
He has since gone on to become the youngest scorer in Barca and La Liga history, as well as in the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish national team, and the European Championships.
Lamine Yamal could break Cristiano Ronaldo’s assists record in Euros at 2028 edition
At just the age of 17, Lamine Yamal has already left an inedible mark in football history. And he is just getting started.
With four assists in Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, Yamal is already within reach of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in the competition’s history. The Portugal and Real Madrid icon has eight assists across six editions.
Yamal could equal or even surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's tally at the 2028 edition, which will be co-hosted by England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. By then, the Barcelona starlet will only be 20 years old, and far from the peak years of his footballing career.
For now, Lamine Yamal will be looking forward to facing off against his idol and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi in the 2025 edition of the Finalissima. Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday (July 14) to set up a mouth-watering clash against Spain.