Lamine Yamal is without a doubt the most talked-about football player in the world right now. The winger for Spain and Barcelona just turned 17 on Saturday. He is already a world-class player, and he wants to win his first big trophy: the 2024 European Championship.

While that would be a great late birthday present, it has been Lamine Yamal himself who has been giving gifts in the lead up to his big day. In particular, he gave Kylian Mbappe his shirt after Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-final earlier this week. Mbappe will soon play for a different club than him. According to Marca, Lamine Yamal himself told them that.

It was Mbappe who asked me for it, or rather the kit man in the locker room did. Chiesa also asked for it after the Italy game. I won’t think twice about giving it to Mbappe if he asks for it. I have too many shirts to count.

People also asked Lamine Yamal what they thought about the links between him and Lionel Messi. He made an effort to get away from them.

“I try to be like Lamine.” It’s important to me that people see me as I am. In the end, it won’t help to compare yourself to the greatest player ever; I will never be as good as him. I just try to be myself so that people know who I am as Lamine Yamal.

There’s no question that Lamine Yamal could make the difference for Spain on Sunday night as they try to win a record-setting fourth European Championship. England will have to play their best to stop him.