Spain head coach Luis da la Fuente has compared Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal to two of the best footballers in history in the shape of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
Yamal became Barcelona's youngest-ever player when he debuted for the first team at the age of 15 years, nine months and 16 days old at the end of April.
The 16-year-old then became Spain's youngest-ever player and goalscorer during the September international break, while he has since set another record, becoming the youngest-ever player to start a Champions League match, having been included in the XI against Porto earlier this week.
Yamal, who recently signed a new contract with Barcelona until June 2026, has provided two assists in 10 appearances at club level this term, in addition to netting once in two outings for Spain.
The youngster has been named in the latest Spain squad for their Euro 2024 qualification matches against Scotland and Norway on October 12 and October 15 respectively, and Da la Fuente has compared the attacker to Argentine legends Messi and Maradona.
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"We always make sure that the process is as reasonable as possible. But there are footballers who knock down the door before others. He has exceptional conditions and his performance will determine what we can give him," said the national team head coach at a press conference.
"Remember when Messi or Maradona played when they were 16? Now it seems sacrilegious to debate whether they should play when they are 16 years old. You don't have to set limits for players like that."
Yamal's teammate Ferran Torres has also earned a recall due to his recent form for Barcelona.
"He has earned it. He knows what we are going to ask of him. There are players who are capable of giving an extra plus and who may even feel more comfortable at their club, which I don't think is the case," the manager added.
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"And Ferran is one of them, one of those who can give that extra in the national team. And he can also play in several positions."
Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet and Real Madrid's Fran Garcia are both in line for potential debuts, meanwhile, having been handed spots in the squad.
Marco Asensio and Dani Olmo are both out through injury, which has opened the door for Mikel Oyarzabal and Yeremy Pino to earn recalls in the final third of the field.
Pedri is also a notable absentee for La Roja, with the Barcelona attacker remaining on the sidelines due to a thigh issue, but he is said to be entering the latter stages of his recovery process.
Full Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Raya
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Jesus Navas, Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Pau Torres, David Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Fran Garcia
Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Oihan Sancet
Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Joselu, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal
Matt Law
