They are the young guns firing the sporting ambitions of a new generation in Spain and Carlos Alcaraz and Lamine Yamal share a common trait that is propelling them to the top.
The best young footballer at Euro 2024 and the most exciting star in world tennis are achieving so much so young and both have a quality cannot be taught.
Raw talent can be honed, desire can be driven, yet when the pressure is applied on the biggest sporting stage, only a few can thrive.
That is where Alcaraz and Yamal are so special.
At the age of just 21, Alcaraz has already won three Grand Slam titles on different surfaces, with his win at the French Open last month taking him into a unique club.
After joining fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal as the only men to lift the Roland Garros trophy aged under 22, Alcaraz was asked whether he could eventually match Djokovic’s record tally of Grand Slam titles.
“I don’t know. I hope so,” he smiled. “I talked to (coach) Juan Carlos (Ferrero) a few days ago. Before facing this final, he told me how I’m going to fight for a third grand slam title, with everything you have been through, and you know the difficult part of winning a grand slam – and Djoko has 24! So it is unbelievable.
“Right now I can’t think about it. I just want to keep going, and let’s see how many grand slams I’m going to take at the end of my career.
“Hopefully I’ll reach the 24, but right now I’m going to enjoy my third one, and let’s see in the future.”
For Alcaraz to even entertain the idea of catching Djokovic in the race to seal the most Grand Slams in tennis history highlights the level of his ambition.
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Remarkably, his ambition is not misplaced as his success at such a young age means he could have another 15 years to challenge for more Grand Slam titles if he can stay fit.
Yamal’s composure under the brightest of sporting spotlight has been remarkable this summer, with the 17-year-old Barcelona star lighting up Euro 2024 with his sparkling displays.
At the tender age of 16 years and 362 days, Yamal struck a stunning equaliser and Dani Olmo quickly added what turned out to be the winner as Spain recovered from Randal Kolo Muani’s header to win 2-1 and book a date with England in Sunday’s final.
With that goal, Yamal beat Pele’s record as the youngest player to feature in a major tournament semi-final.
Playing for Barcelona will have prepared him for dealing with pressure and before turning 17, Yamal had played 51 times for Barcelona, scoring seven goals and setting up another seven.
By comparison, neither Argentina’s Lionel Messi or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo – the two greatest players of this generation – had played a single first-team game for club or country when they were 16.
Yamal became Barcelona’s youngest player aged 15 years and 290 days when he replaced Gavi with six minutes to go in a 4-0 win over Real Betis on 29 April 2023.
Then at the age of 16 years and 38 days, he became the youngest player since 1939 to start a La Liga game when he took the field against Cadiz.
Like Alcaraz, he is rewriting the record books and Spain are fortunate to have two sporting superstars in their midst who look set to dominate the sporting landscape for the next decade and more.
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