Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal has revealed that a conversation with Lionel Messi after the World Cup final remains one of the most memorable moments of his career.
According to ESPN on July 21, 2026, Yamal said he approached Messi after the match to greet and console him, and the Argentine legend offered words of encouragement during their embrace.
Reflecting on the exchange, Yamal said, “Messi told me to keep going and said our generation holds the future. His words mean even more to me than the gold medal around my neck. I will treasure them forever and always remember Lionel.”
The 19-year-old described Messi’s message as priceless, saying it inspired him to continue working hard and left a lasting impression on his career.
Yamal said the post-match conversation became the most emotional moment of an outstanding tournament in which he delivered impressive performances and claimed one of football’s highest individual honours.
He also noted that although Messi had hoped to conclude his international career with another World Cup title, the Argentine was happy to see the trophy lifted by the next generation and expressed confidence in their future.
