Lamine Yamal isn’t worried about facing childhood…
Spain’s Lamine Yamal is one win from putting himself in soccer immortality. But with immortality comes the associated fee of dethroning his childhood hero, Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Yamal spoke about facing his childhood hero in the World Cup remaining Sunday and said, “It’s difficult to put into words.”
Spain’s Lamine Yamal has idolized Lionel Messi, but he still needs to defeat him and win the World Cup. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN
“For me, he’s the greatest player of all time. What he’s doing at 39 years old in this World Cup is simply insane. He’s still deciding matches, still leading Argentina, still showing the world why he’s the GOAT,” Yamal said, according to the X account tomisinfcb, “As a football fan, it’s impossible not to admire him.”
🚨 Lamine Yamal on facing Lionel Messi in the FIFA World Cup Final:🎙️ Reporter: “Lamine, how does it feel to face Lionel Messi in the biggest match in football?”Lamine Yamal: “It’s difficult to put into words. Messi holds a very special place in my heart. Everyone knows the… pic.twitter.com/xfW9QqiVDN— TOMI$IN🏅 (@tomisinfcb) July 18, 2026
Yamal’s love for Messi dates back to when he was a child, as a picture not too long ago surfaced on social media channels of Messi taking a picture with Yamal as an toddler.
At 39 years outdated, Sunday may probably be Messi’s remaining World Cup match.
During this yr’s World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been Messi’s longtime rival, made a surprising announcement that this yr was his remaining match at 41 years outdated.
The tide in soccer is shifting after Ronaldo’s departure from the World Cup and with an unclear future for Messi.
This is perhaps Messi’s last World Cup. Getty Images
Yamal is one of the many vivid younger stars in soccer. He has often been in contrast to Messi since he began enjoying for Barcelona in 2014.
While Yamal grew up idolizing Messi, he said he understands his fandom might be an afterthought as he gained’t play against his idol but for his nation.
“We respect Messi and Argentina, but our dream is to bring the World Cup home,” Yamal said, according to the X account tomisinfcb. “Sometimes football asks you to put your feelings aside, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
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