Ban him — Barcelona star accuses Lamine Yamal of being illegal

Spanish forward Ferran Torres quipped that his teammate Lamine Yamal should be banned for being at such a high level at his age. 

Yamal is only 16 and has been an integral part of La Roja’s EURO 2024 campaign, starting two of the group games and coming on as a substitute in the third. 

Speaking with The Guardian's Sid Lowe, Ferran Torres joked that Yamal was illegally competent given his young age. 

“That he should be banned. What this kid is doing at 16 years of age,” Ferran told the reporter.

The interviewer immediately informed Ferran that his joke had a tinge of reality, as due to his age, Yamal is barred from playing beyond 11 p.m., effectively ruling him out of a possible extra time. 

“Nah, I’ll report him to the police after 14 July,” Torres joked. “Let him help us win it first. I didn’t know that; I’m going to go and tell him now, wind him up: there’s a joke to be played here. 

Meanwhile, Yamal recently revealed that he had always planned to play from Spain, despite the interest from North African side Morocco.