Messi’s Parting Words to Spain’s Rising Star After 2026 World Cup Final

On July 19, 2026, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. After the final whistle, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal embraced 39-year-old Lionel Messi. Messi later posted on social media that the loss was “painful” and that he was left in tears.

‘Means as much as the gold medal’ - Lamine Yamal reveals the advice Lionel Messi gave him after the World Cup final ESPNTaipei Times

The two first met in 2007 when Messi, then a Barcelona star, participated in a UNICEF fundraiser and held an infant Yamal in a photo shoot. Topps announced a trading card commemorating that image, describing it as a symbolic passing of a “baton” between generations. Both now wear Barcelona’s iconic number 10 shirt, with Yamal inheriting the number for the 2026 season.

Taipei Times

• Match result: Spain 1, Argentina 0.

‘Means as much as the gold medal’ - Lamine Yamal reveals the advice Lionel Messi gave him after the World Cup final

• Yamal: 19 years old; already a La Liga, Copa del Rey and European Championship winner.

‘Means as much as the gold medal’ - Lamine Yamal reveals the advice Lionel Messi gave him after the World Cup final

• Messi: eight goals and four assists across eight World Cup games in North America; eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

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Messi’s social-media post described the defeat as a “painful result” and noted he was left in tears.

‘Means as much as the gold medal’ - Lamine Yamal reveals the advice Lionel Messi gave him after the World Cup final

• “He's a tremendous player ... a global star,” — Extended Reactions Lionel Messi, former barcelona captain

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