Ansu Fati was on top of the world during his first start for Spain on Sunday night.You really feel like the world is his oyster right now after an incredible breakthrough season at Barcelona and now the 17-year-old is starting to break records on the international stage, too.It was a huge landmark in Fati's career to be called up to Spain's senior squad and he earned his first cap earlier in the week by coming off the bench against Germany.
Fati scores vs Ukraine
But it was the way in which Fati responded to being given an even bigger show of faith during the Ukraine clash, being named as a starter for the first time, that really highlighted his qualities.
Fati hit the ground running by winning a penalty within two minutes, which Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos duly converted and then followed up with a header to make it 2-0.
However, the third goal came from the boot of Fati himself with the 2002-born starlet collecting the ball outside the penalty area and firing a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner via the post.
Fati's meteoric rise
Ferran Torres added an extra coating of sugar to the performance with a fourth goal in the second-half, which also happened to be his first for Las Rojas, but the evening was all about Fati.
The tricky winger, who was born in Guinea-Bissau, became Spain's youngest ever goalscorer, adding to his identical achievement in the Champions League and La Liga as a Barca player.
It's no wonder that when it looked as though Lionel Messi could be leaving for Manchester City that some fans thought Fati, at least in the long-term, would be the perfect man to replace him.
Fati's remarkable highlights
But to view Fati's performance against Ukraine as merely him winning a penalty and scoring a beauty would be grossly underselling him and his highlights make for remarkable viewing.
Twitter user @LSComps uploaded a mesmerising two-minute montage of Fati's best bits during the game and the fact it received over 2,000 retweets in less than two hours says everything.
You can check out the stunning video down below:
Generational talent
What. A. Talent.
Per Goal, Spain coach Luis Enrique said: "When we choose the squad we do not look at his age. That does not mean that we do not have to understand that Ansu Fati will play bad games and will make mistakes many times.
"It is part of his learning, but that self-confidence is not normal. Ansu Fati is very happy and has reasons. He is only 17 years old and has to mature, but that in his second game with the national team he dares to do all this...
"He brings hard work and humility. He has trained at an impressive pace and I am glad that he goes home with this joy.
"At his age it is easy for these highs to go to your head, but he is mature enough to know that the path he is following is the best. He is very calm and humble."
Sure, it might only have been Ukraine and sure, it wasn't exactly a tournament game, but Fati has broken two many records for his incredible rise to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
