Lamine Yamal Channels Inner Lionel Messi, Leaves Italy Defenders on the Floor, Video

• Lamine Yamal was in scorching form as Spain beat Italy in their Group C headliner on Thursday, June 20, at the Veltins Arena
• The Barcelona wonderkid was a torn in the flesh of the Italian defenders, producing Lionel Messi-esque dribbles in the game
• He holds the enviable record as the youngest player to have ever featured at the European Championship after playing vs Croatia

Spain sensation, Lamine Yamal, channelled his inner Lionel Messi, mesmerising Italy’s defenders with his dazzling dribbles.

At just 16, Yamal made history as the youngest player to feature in the Euros during Spain’s match against Croatia in the opening round of games.

And the youngster continued to impress with another stellar performance against Italy on Thursday night, as Spain beat the defending champions by a lone goal, per WSLS.

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The Barcelona winger was a constant threat, weaving through Gli Azzurri’s defence with his agile footwork, reminiscent of a slippery eel evading capture.

Although he hasn’t scored yet in the tournament, Lamine has been a delight for La Roja fans and a torment for his opponents.

Lamine Yamal floors Italy defenders

In one memorable moment, the La Masia graduate received a pass from midfield and fearlessly drove through Italy’s defence, despite the sea of legs poised to tackle him.

His first touch saw him glide past one defender before deftly manoeuvring around two more onrushing Italians.

As he neared the box, the opposition doubled their efforts to stop him, with Riccardo Calafiori’s last-ditch tackle preventing what could have been a stunning solo goal.

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Yamal’s electrifying run evoked memories of Leo Messi, especially his legendary solo goal against Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-final at Santiago Bernabeu.

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While the teenager didn’t replicate Messi’s feat entirely, his effort left spectators in awe.

How Lamine is balancing education with football

Meanwhile, the Barcelona wonderkid has discussed how he manages to balance his education with football as he gears up for his first international tournament with Spain, as reported by Sports Brief.

Lamine explained that he takes extra online classes and hopes his tutors will be understanding.

He also shared that he brought his homework to the tournament, showcasing his strong determination to graduate from high school successfully.