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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Yamal names Raum as toughest ever opponent</li><li>Faced German in Euro 2024 quarter-final</li><li>Defender was subbed after Spain star's assist</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lamine Yamal names his toughest ever opponent as Barcelona & Spain ace hails ‘tough and fierce’ Bundesliga defender

Champions League

Benfica

Barcelona

<p>At just 17, Yamal has already faced some top defenders across Euro 2024, the Champions League and La Liga. It was in the quarter-final clash against Germany that Yamal faced his most difficult test, as he highlighted David Raum's strength.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Despite the impression Raum made on Yamal, the 2024 Golden Boy winner got free to set up the opening goal in the quarter-final and the German left-back was substituted before the hour mark.  </p><p>Yamal told <a href="https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/golden-boy/2024/12/16-136582312/yamal_esclusivo_che_gioia_il_golden_boy_juve_top_club_ho_visto_yildiz_e_/5" target="_blank"><em>Tuttosport</em></a>: "David Raum, the left back for Germany and RB Leipzig. A tough, fierce defender. At the European Championship in the quarter-finals against the Germans he proved to be a tough opponent to overcome."</p>

WHAT YAMAL SAID

<p>Spain went on to win 2-1 in extra-time of a controversial clash that saw <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/explained-why-germany-not-awarded-penalty-marc-cucurella-handball-quarter-final-spain/blt6f11c811b578b1ba" target="_blank">Germany denied a penalty for Marc Cucurella's handball</a> - a decision <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/toni-kroos-scathing-attack-uefa-anthony-taylor-stuart-attwell-leaked-referee-report-controversial-handball-euro-2024/blt4235dbf4df44ea61" target="_blank">UEFA's Referees' Committee admitted was wrong</a>. Yamal went on to score in the semi-final win against France before assisting Nico Williams for the opener in the 2-1 final win against England.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Yamal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/toni-kroos-scathing-attack-uefa-anthony-taylor-stuart-attwell-leaked-referee-report-controversial-handball-euro-2024/blt4235dbf4df44ea61" target="_blank">has been sidelined with an ankle injury</a> he sustained against Leganes and will be eager to return to Hansi Flick's team as soon as possible to aid their bid to win La Liga and the Champions League.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

Lamine Yamal names his toughest ever opponent as Barcelona & Spain ace hails ‘tough and fierce’ Bundesliga defender | Goal.com

Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal has revealed the toughest opponent he has come up against in his career so far.