BARCELONA (AFP)

Every time Lamine Yamal scores, he holds up his fingers to sign the numbers 304

  • The 304 sign refers to the postcode of Rocafonda, the modest Catalan district where he grew up. The district is bursting with pride over the 16-year-old's success in Euro 2024.

  • Laman's father is just back from Germany, where he watched Spain's semi-final victory over France. His neighbours are crowding around to congratulate him on his son's stunning goal, which he still gets excited about.
    "I lived every moment in that stadium just like any other Spanish fan, going crazy," says Mounir Nasraoui.

    Lamal's father will soon be going back with more to celebrate: his son turns 17 on Saturday, and on Sunday, he's hoping for victory in the final against England.

    "As a father, I am proud, happy and grateful," he said, thanking his neighbours for their support.
    "This neighbourhood is proud to be the place where Lamine Yamal comes from."

    For years, people here in the north of Barcelona knew he was different, but nobody could have predicted that the lad would go on to become the youngest player to score in a European Championship.


  • Life has not been simple in this district on the outskirts of Mataro, whose postcode is 08304. It has a large immigrant population and a lower income than other more affluent neighbourhoods.

    "We've always had a bad reputation for crime and other things, and to have someone so important shedding a different light on the neighbourhood is really positive," said Rocio Escandell, head of the Rocafonda residents' association.


  • Everyone wants to be like him in this neighbourhood, which is thrown into the limelight every time the young star player signs its 304 postcode.

    "People get really excited about Lamine Yamal because nothing like this has ever happened here before," explains Mamadou Sow, 32, who works in catering.

    "That gives the kids even more desire to do sports and other things," he told AFP, saying he was overjoyed to "finally" see the neighbourhood, which has come in for some negative press in recent years, being mentioned on TV for positive reasons.
    "It's exciting."