The mysterious number 304 of child prodigy Lamine Yamal
Rising to global superstardom with a multi-million dollar fortune at the age of 18, Lamine Yamal has piqued the curiosity of millions of fans by consistently displaying the “304” symbol, from his football boots to his historic World Cup goal celebration.
Teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal continued to make history for world football by contributing to Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the second match of Group H on the morning of June 22nd.
In the 10th minute at the Atlanta stadium, receiving a precise low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal, the Barcelona star rushed in to tap the ball into the net from close range, opening the scoring for Spain. This goal not only broke the deadlock for the Spanish team but also put Yamal on the list of the youngest players ever to score at the World Cup.
Scoring at just 18 years and 343 days old, Yamal became the eighth youngest player in history to score at the biggest football tournament on the planet. Notably, he surpassed the record of Lionel Messi, who scored his first World Cup goal in 2006 at the age of 18 years and 357 days.
Special childhood and secret behind the symbol “304”
Behind the glory of the field, Yamal’s family story also received a lot of attention. His father is Mr. Mounir Nasraoui, originally from Morocco, who worked as a house painter, and his mother, Ms. Sheila Ebana, originally from Equatorial Guinea, used to work as a waitress. The two met in Spain and gave birth to Yamal in 2007.
Even though his parents separated when he was only 3 years old, they both still took care of and raised their child. During his childhood years, Yamal lived with his mother in Granollers on weekdays and returned to Mataró to stay with his father every weekend. He currently has two younger half-siblings, younger brother Keyne and younger sister Baraa.
In a 2025 podcast, Yamal emotionally recounted the story of his grandmother, Fatima, who had a profound influence on his life. According to the player, she left Morocco alone to work in Spain, saving every penny to eventually bring her family over. Out of gratitude, Yamal even postponed his official photoshoot for his contract signing with Barcelona to wait for her to arrive from Morocco.
“I am grateful for everything she has done for me and can never repay her,” he shared.
Besides his family story, fans also paid special attention to Yamal’s unique celebration. Whenever he scores, the young star often forms the number “304” with his hands. This is his way of paying tribute to Rocafonda, a multicultural working-class neighborhood in Mataró, where he spent his childhood.
Yamal’s hand gesture “304” (Photo: Getty Images)
This number comes from the last three digits of the area’s postal code, 08304. Not only did it appear in his celebrations, but “304” was also featured on his personal football boots, Instagram account, and various branding projects. In 2025, the Spanish player registered the trademarks “304”, “LY304”, and “304 FC” in the European Union.
Despite becoming a world-class star at just 18 years old, Yamal still shows his connection to his hometown. Recently, he announced plans to donate 100 footballs to children in Rocafonda, as a way to inspire the future generation of players in his hometown.
Lamine Yamal’s 18 Years and 343 Days
His World Cup goal is just the latest milestone in a series of records that Yamal has continuously set over the years.
Born on July 13, 2007, in Esplugues de Llobregat, a suburb of Barcelona, Yamal is considered one of the most outstanding talents in world football today. Looking at his braces and youthful hairstyle, few would guess that this player has been breaking numerous seemingly unattainable milestones.
The young star became the youngest player to appear for Barcelona’s first team at just 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old. He then went on to become the youngest player to score for the Spanish national team and the youngest player to score in the history of the European Championship (EURO).
After turning 17, Yamal continued to make his mark by becoming the youngest player ever nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and finishing as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or. He also won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player in the world for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025.
Yamal’s exceptional talent was quickly rewarded by Barcelona. On May 27, 2025, at the age of 17, he signed a six-year contract with the Camp Nou club. This deal was reportedly worth over $100 million, with a release clause of up to $1 billion.
Despite his early rise to stardom and massive contract, Yamal is considered by many to be quite humble and compassionate. In May 2026, after learning that his teammate Fermín López would miss the World Cup due to a foot injury, he posted a short message on Instagram: “We will do it for you, my warrior.”
Following his explosive performance at EURO 2024, Yamal entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the biggest hopes for the Spanish national team, the reigning European champions.
Few know that just two months before the tournament, the player born in 2007 suffered a left hamstring injury while playing for Barcelona. Therefore, the Spanish coaching staff was very cautious in bringing him back to play.
However, what Yamal showed against Saudi Arabia indicates he is gradually regaining his best form. And for this young player, his biggest goal remains unchanged.
“I want to win the World Cup with Spain,” Yamal once stated in 2024.
With what he has shown at the age of 18, that dream seems not too far away.
A multi-million dollar fortune at the age of 18
Not only has he continuously broken records on the field, Yamal has also quickly become one of the most commercially valuable young players in the world. Some sources estimate his net worth currently ranges from $5 million to $15 million, a figure projected to increase significantly in the coming years as his career continues to flourish.
The Spanish star’s biggest source of income comes from Barcelona. After renewing his contract in 2025, Yamal’s salary is expected to increase from around $1.8 million per year to $17-18 million per year. According to some estimates, if he fulfills performance-based bonuses, his total earnings could reach approximately $45 million per year.
Besides his income from football, Yamal is also a sought-after face for many major brands. In 2024, he signed a 10-year partnership with Adidas, reportedly worth around $34 million. This is considered one of the most notable sponsorship deals for a teenage player. In addition to Adidas, Yamal has appeared in advertising campaigns for many international brands such as Beats by Dre, OPPO, Powerade, and Konami, and has participated in activities with UNICEF.
Yamal’s appeal is also evident on social media platforms. With over 80 million followers on TikTok and Instagram combined, he is currently one of the most influential teenagers in the world. His massive fan base not only helps spread his image widely but also brings significant commercial value, making him a target for many brands looking to reach a younger audience.
