Welcome to the world of Lamine Yamal – and watch Spanish teen sensation’s wonder-goal vs France

Although born and raised in Barcelona, Yamal is fiercely proud of his family’s roots. His mother hails from Equatorial Guinea and his father, Mounir Nasraoui, from Morocco, which explains why he has a flag of both countries on his Adidas F50 boots, the same ones worn by his idol Lionel Messi with whom he is already drawing – unhelpful – comparisons.

They separated when Yamal was very young, which meant he split his time between Rocafonda and Granollers further north. But both remain central figures in his life. As he got older, he would use his treasured T-16 train pass to get around. His mother’s rice-with-peanut sauce remains his favourite dish and, on the Moroccan side, he cannot get enough of his grandmother’s pastries. He visits both countries as often as he can to see wider family.

You do not have to go far in Rocafonda to get a feel for Yamal fever. At the entrance of a small bakery run by his uncle, Abdul, and plethora of cousins, there is a mural of the player in his Barcelona shirt, surrounded by flags of Morocco, Equatorial Guinea and Spain.

His name now reverberates far beyond the neighbourhood in which he grew up, although it is clear this level-headed teenager is refusing to get ahead of himself.

Yamal told Spanish GQ in an interview this month that the same people who trumpet him as the next Messi are liable to write him off in the next breath.

Most, though, are just marvelling at a burgeoning talent; one who lit up the tournament with his sublime goal.