Messi and Yamal Embrace After World Cup Final... What Did They Say?

Yamal Approaches Messi to Offer Comfort
Messi Responds, "The Future Is Yours"
A Bond Formed Between the Two Players in 2007 Draws Attention

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, 39, reportedly embraced Ramin Yamal, 19, Spain's rising star, immediately after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup final, encouraging him by saying, "The future generation belongs to you."

On the 22nd (local time), in an interview with the U.S. sports media outlet ESPN, Yamal said, "He (Messi) told me to keep following my path, that the future belongs to us." He added, "Messi's words mean as much to me as winning a gold medal."

On the 19th (local time), Lionel Messi and Ramin Jamal embrace immediately after the North and Central America World Cup final. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Previously, the Argentina national team played the final against Spain at New Jersey Stadium in New York, United States, on the 19th. Spain won the match 1-0. Immediately after the match, a frustrated Messi was sitting on the field when Yamal was captured approaching Messi, holding his hand, and embracing him. It was at that time that Messi's encouraging words to Yamal were reportedly conveyed.

Yamal recalled, "Messi is the greatest player in history," and added, "I have always admired him. After every match, I made sure to show him my respect."

Yamal shares a special connection with Messi. Back in 2007, Messi—then a young 20-year-old player—bathed a five-month-old Yamal himself after a charity event in Catalonia, Spain.

Messi is bathing Ramin Yamal at an FC Barcelona charity event in 2007. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Messi is considered one of the greatest players of all time, having won the Ballon d'Or—the award given to the best footballer of the year—eight times. He led Argentina to victory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and this time guided the team to the runner-up position.

Yamal debuted at age 15 as the youngest player to come through 'La Masia,' the youth system of FC Barcelona, the team where Messi played for 20 years. In the 2025–2026 season, he inherited the number 10 shirt, Messi's own number during his Barcelona career. Ahead of the World Cup final, Messi also praised Yamal in interviews with sports media, saying, "Yamal is an incredible player and already a global star. He is 19, and his football career is filled with endless possibilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.