Expectations are rising for Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, which will feature two superstars 20 years apart.
39-year-old Lionel Messi is leading Argentina as one of the greatest players in football history, while Spain has its own generational talent in 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who has quickly become one of the game’s brightest young stars.
Ahead of the highly anticipated matchup, Messi made his feelings on Yamal clear.
“Footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them, but if I had to pick one because of his age, what he has done so far and what he can do in the future, it is Lamin,” Messi said. “No doubt about it, he’s the best for me.”
Lionel Messi named Lamine Yamal as his favorite player of the new generation.
“Footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them, but if I had to pick one because of his age, what he has done so far, and what he can do in the future, it is Lamin. Without a doubt,… pic.twitter.com/NvySXpBXqZ– Complex (@complex) 17 July 2026
Messi can relate to Yamal’s experience of handling immense fame and expectations at such a young age. At just 17 years old, Messi made his Barcelona debut in 2004, beginning a career that ultimately made him one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
Yamal emerged even earlier. He was only 15 years old when he made his first-team debut for Barcelona as a substitute.
When Yamal was asked about comparisons to Messi last year, he acknowledged the respect between the two but made it clear he wanted to create his own legacy.
“It’s a mutual respect, and I think we both know I don’t want to be Messi, and Messi knows I don’t want to be him,” Yamal said. “I want to follow my own path, and that’s all. I have no intention of playing like him or being like him or wearing the No. 10 that Messi wore or anything like that.”
On Sunday, they will meet as rivals for the first time, with Messi looking for his second consecutive World Cup title and Yamal looking for his first before turning 20.
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