Spain's Lamine Yamal and Rodri clinch personal accolades in UEFA Euro 2024

At the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, Spain defeated England 2-1 to wrap up the 2024 European Championship. For the fourth time in its history, Spain will raise the trophy, but its players won't be taking any other medal home with them. Spain's Rodri, a midfielder, has been awarded the best player of the European Championship. His teammate Lamine Yamal has been named the tournament's best young player.

The 28-year-old Rodri only missed Spain's 1-0 group stage win, which advanced them to the round of 16; he started six of his country's seven games during the tournament. The Manchester City player was instrumental for his country throughout Euro 2024, even scoring in the round of 16 triumph over Georgia. Rodri was substituted at halftime in the final by Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi due to hamstring soreness. Rodri has now lost just once in his previous 80 games in all competitions for club and country, adding the Euros to a brilliant collection of trophies in that time.

Lamine Yamal was favorite to win the award

Although Lamine Yamal was one of the favorites to win the individual prize overall, he was always going to take home the trophy for Young Player of the Tournament. Having celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday, Yamal, a forward for Barcelona who produced a tournament-high four assists, was voted the young player of the Euros, an accolade given to the finest player aged 22 or under. In Euro 2020, his Barcelona teammate Pedri who sustained an injury during the team's quarterfinal triumph against Germany was named the winner. 

The youth shined throughout the campaign and ended with a cool four assists to go along with his breathtaking strike in the semi-final against Spain. He surpassed Pele's record as the youngest male starter in a major event final. The goal in the 47th minute of the match, which saw Luis de la Fuente's squad upset England 2-1, was assisted by Yamal.