It was an unfortunate event for Lionel Messi, as Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, July 20 (As per IST) at the MetLife Stadium in New York. Despite the loss, Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal went to Messi to console him after the final whistle. Yamal received praise for his gesture.
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However, fans were wondering what the two La Masia graduates could have talked about, as Lionel Messi passed the baton to Yamal in his last World Cup appearance for Argentina.
Lamine Yamal reveals conversation with Lionel Messi
After Spain's historic World Cup final win against Argentina, Yamal revealed what Lionel Messi told him after the final whistle. While admiring Messi's greatness, Yamal revealed that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner advised him to continue on his path and the future belongs to the new generation.
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"The best in history and someone I've always admired. At the end of the match, I showed him my respect," said Yamal.
"He told me to continue on my path and that the future belongs to our generation. These words are as valuable to me as the gold medal around my neck," added Yamal.
How Lamine Yamal performed for Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
It won't be wrong to say that Yamal endured an underwhelming individual campaign at the World Cup 2026. However, some experts claimed that Yamal showed another shade of his game as he was playing with maturity and trying to help his team with more accurate passes throughout the competition. Notably, in the middle of the tournament, Yamal mentioned that he was playing with an injury, so this could be a reason that he wasn't attempting so many dribbles.
In the final against Argentina, Yamal imposed himself as a constant threat from the right-wing position at the MetLife Stadium. Yamal played a key role in Spain's 1-0 extra-time win, recording 4 shots (2 on target) and almost sealed the win in regulation time with a superb curling free-kick that took a brilliant effort from Emiliano Martinez to stop it.
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