Lamine Yamal reveals words shared with Messi after World Cup final

Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, Lamine Yamal has revealed the details of his post-match encounter with Lionel Messi. In an interview with The Guardian, the 19-year-old Spanish winger explained that his decision to approach Messi for an embrace was spontaneous and driven by genuine respect rather than a desire for media attention.

Yamal stated, “I told him: ‘Thank you for everything you have given to football.’ I don’t do things to look good in a photo; it came from within.” He further expressed his long-standing admiration for the Argentine, noting that he has always considered Messi the best, regardless of recent titles or form.

The interaction drew significant attention due to a historic 2007 photograph showing a young Messi bathing Yamal as an infant during a charity event. Yamal revealed that his family had kept the image private for years to avoid comparisons, as he wanted to establish his own identity, stating, “I wanted to be Lamine, I didn’t want to be Messi.”