As Spain gets ready for the World Cup semifinal, one of the biggest names on its team is celebrating a birthday today - Lamine Yamal has turned 19, and his dream of the world title is very much alive.

The Barcelona star is spending these days in the US, where Spain plays a crucial match against France on Tuesday for a spot in the final. From the stands he's supported by his girlfriend, influencer Inés García. Unlike last year, when his birthday brought him headaches, this year the attention is where he wants it to be - on the pitch.

Last year, when he turned 18, Yamal threw a lavish birthday celebration that provoked a fierce public reaction - the party hired people with dwarfism to entertain the guests, which stirred up a storm of criticism and debate. Between that scandal and his current relationship, he briefly dated the Argentine singer Nicki Nicole.

Yamal's story is the kind football adores - a kid who came from the suburbs to the top before he even turned 19. But it's also a reminder of how early fame comes today, and how unprepared a teenager can be for all the attention that comes with it. The talent on the pitch is undeniable. What's harder to learn is how to carry everything else around it.

For now, the focus is clear: a win against France and a place in the final on the biggest stage. If Spain goes all the way, this birthday will be remembered as the start of something big. If not, it'll be another lesson that even the greatest talent has no guarantee - only a chance.