It was a moment that left a lasting impression on Thierry Henry. "I remember saying, 'This guy is too good. He is on a different level'," the former Arsenal striker tells SPORTbible. "For him to think about that in a game of that magnitude is something else."
More than seven months after watching Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024 and Henry – one of the Premier League's greatest-ever players – is still in awe of a sequence of events that took place in the semi-final clash between France and Spain on July 9.
Yamal made history for a number of reasons last summer. He was the first player to score or assist in a quarter-final, semi-final and final after becoming the youngest player to feature in the showpiece event of a World Cup or European Championship, breaking the record set by Pele in 1958.
Nobody was involved in more goals at Euro 2024 than the teenager, who notched one goal and four assists.
Advert
But for Henry, a phase of play that was overlooked by many during Spain's 2-1 victory over France in the semi-final was just as emphatic.
Speaking to SPORTbible as part of the 'No Lay’s, No Game' campaign, Henry was asked if there is a player in world football that he enjoys watching most.
"Lamine Yamal. I'll tell you why. And it's not because of what you think I'm going to say," he began.
"It's his maturity. I'll explain. I have it clear in my head. Spain go 2-1 up against France at Euro 2024 in the semi-final. Unai Simon throws the ball to him and he controls it with the outside of his foot. He looks up and can go one-vs-one against [Theo] Hernandez.
"At that moment, you're young. You've scored a goal. Who would have said anything if he took the ball and played the one-vs-one? It was minute 60-something. He touched the ball with the outside-of-his-foot, put it down, passed it back and said to everyone, 'Calm down'.
"I said, 'You're doing that at your age already and it's a wrap'. Think about it. That moment. In the semi-final, when you've scored a goal like that. You get carried away. Nobody would have said anything. He could have taken it one-on-one but he took the ball and passed it back.
"Honestly. I remember saying, 'This guy is too good. He is on a different level.' Please understand the level I'm talking about. Stepovers, nutmegs – yes he does that all the time. But for him to think about that in a game of that magnitude is something else."
Given his age, many consider Yamal as a one-off talent. Henry mentions that maturity in high pressure situations but his ability to perform the unexpected and show instincts that are becoming few and far between in the modern game is arguably his most attractive trait.
Take that game against France, for example. Instead of playing the 'safe' pass, he curled a breathtaking 25-yard strike into the top corner – an effort that was later named the goal of the tournament.
When asked what he misses most from his era of football, Henry brought up a type of player that modern football yearns for at times.
"To watch, I miss instinct players. The game is so structured and scripted, which I'm not saying is wrong or right, I just miss the guy who is going to shoot from 40 yards or would try and dribble past everyone," he said.
"Now, more often than not, a manager will be like, 'Don't lose it!'. I was a striker and I liked to dribble. You have some players, don't get me wrong, but I miss players who take the ball and make me sit on the edge of my seat."
Which player do you enjoy watching the most right now? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Barcelona, Football, Lamine Yamal, Spain, Thierry Henry, Spotlight
Jack Kenmare