Emerging talent Lamine Yamal is poised to make history for the Spanish national team. At just 16 years old, the Barcelona winger has been called up for Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia. If he sees the field, Yamal will become the youngest player to ever represent Spain at the senior level, breaking the record held by his teammate Gavi.
Gavi debuted for Spain in 2021 at 17 years and 62 days old, but Yamal has a chance to lower that mark by over a year. Now 16 years and 57 days of age, the teenage prodigy’s meteoric rise has been fueled by his precocious ability and maturity beyond his years. Yamal follows in the footsteps of other young talents who earned their first caps at extremely young ages.
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Martin Odegaard. Norway
The talented Martin Odegaard, currently captaining Arsenal, made waves on the international stage at just 15 years old. In August 2014, with just 14 club appearances, Odegaard lined up for the full 90 minutes in Norway’s friendly against the UAE.
Later that year, aged 15 years and 300 days, he became the youngest player ever in a Euro qualifier during Norway’s win over Bulgaria in Oslo. Now 24, Odegaard has accrued over 50 caps for Norway and continues to lead his country from midfield.
Pele. Brazil
Long before becoming the King of Football, Pele took his first steps onto the international stage as a promising 16-year-old for Brazil. On July 7, 1957, the Santos phenom made his debut against rivals Argentina at the Maracana stadium, scoring a goal.
At the 1958 World Cup, 17-year-old Pele dazzled the world with his talent. His hat-trick dismantled France in the semis, while another masterful brace in the final saw Brazil lift the trophy. Pele would win two more World Cups with Brazil, but his teenage exploits in 1958 represent the pinnacle of his career.
Samuel Eto’o. Cameroon
In 1997, the promising Real Madrid youth player Samuel Eto’o was handed his Cameroon debut the day before turning 16. After making a name for himself at Barcelona, Eto’o became Cameroon’s greatest goalscorer with 56 goals in 118 appearances. Now retired, Eto’o serves as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation.
Though his introduction was inauspicious, Eto’o grew into a giant of African football. His teenage cameo proved to be the start of an iconic career leading the Cameroon attack.
Diego Maradona. Argentina
At 16 years and 120 days old, Diego Maradona marked his Argentina debut in 1977. Two years later he notched his first international goal against Scotland. Subsequently, Maradona captained Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup. With 34 goals in 91 appearances, he also managed the national team from 2008-2010 before passing away in 2020.
Lucas Knecht. Northern Mariana Islands
In 2007, Lucas Knecht participated in a match for the Northern Mariana Islands at 14 years and 2 days old, the youngest men’s international footballer on record. However, the Northern Marianas are not an official FIFA member. According to statistics, there were actually three 14-year-olds who played for the national team, all against Guam.
