“There’s no escaping the fact that he was 16” - Luis de la Fuente opens up on Spain babysitting Lamine Yamal in hotel during Euro 2024
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has revealed that Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal needed babysitting at the 2024 European Championships. The youngster played a key role in Spain's victorious campaign in Germany.
De la Fuente admitted that the Euros were a unique challenge for the team due to the inclusion of the teenage sensation. According to Germany's labor laws, anyone under the age of 18 could not work beyond 8 PM.
Lamine Yamal was just 16 when the Euros began and turned 17 during the tournament. Spain had to bend the laws during the tournament considering his age while they had to be careful about the youngster not joining any team outings at local restaurants and bars.
In an interview with the Guardian, the Spanish manager revealed how they had to babysit Lamine Yamal during the tournament.
"It is important we do our work as educators and developers; there’s no escaping the fact that he was 16, a kid. There are questions of privacy, protection. When the players went out to eat, he couldn’t because he was underage. Someone with responsibility would stay at the hotel, looking after him," admitted De La Fuente.
He added that having players as young as Yamal require special attention due to the sensitive age they're at.
"There are parental authorisations but, more so, a responsibility to society. The federation’s institutional responsibility goes beyond rights, legal requirements, authorisation, parental consents. So there are some inconveniences to being young – although we would all love to take a few years off," he said.
The Barcelona youngster played a pivotal role in Spain's victory at the tournament, contributing to five goals in seven matches. This includes a screamer against France from outside the box that was also named the best goal of the tournament.
"Lamine Yamal is touched by God's wand" - Spain coach
The teenager, who made his senior team appearance at just 15 years, holds the record of being the youngest winner of the Euros. Lamine Yamal broke the record after helping Spain defeat England 2-1 in the final, a day after celebrating his 17th birthday.
Spanish coach De la Fuente heaped praise on the Barcelona youngster, saying that "he is touched by God's wand."
"Lamine is very good. It’s true what I said: that he’s touched by God’s wand," he claimed.
He stopped short of comparing him with the likes of Lionel Messi, who like Yamal came through La Masia, Barcelona's famed youth system.
"There are players that are different. I don’t want to get into those comparisons, because I know we’re going to start [that], and they’re different footballers, different eras," he said.
Calling Lamine Yamal a genius, the manager said that he feels much older than his age because of his talent.
"The talent? There’s something that sets them apart. The super mega cracks, football geniuses, those who [made] history, all have something. At that young age they all seemed different, older," De La Fuente added.
Lamine Yamal was, on Tuesday, named in the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. He is also one of the favorites for the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best player last season under the age of 21.