“It Is As Valuable As A Medal” Lamine Yamal explained Lionel Messi Advice After The World Cup Final

Lionel Messi urged Lamine Yamal “to go his own way” right after Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final.

Following the final whistle in Sunday’s championship game in New York, Yamal, 19, was spotted embracing Messi, 39, on the field before the two had a brief conversation.

“He told me to keep going my way and that the future belongs to our generation.” Yamal said, “Those words mean as much to me as the gold medal around my neck.” Yamal was asked what eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and former Barcelona captain Messi had said to him.

Messi had a fantastic tournament while leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup.

He participated in all eight of Argentina’s World Cup matches in North America, finishing with eight goals and four assists.

The Argentine captain is regarded by Yamal as “the best in history.”

“He’s someone I’ve always admired,” the Barcelona player said of Messi. “I respected him at the conclusion of the game.

Yamal and Messi have a long history together.

Messi, then 20 years old, was photographed bathing the 5-month-old future star Yamal during a photo shoot for the UNICEF and Barça calendar while he was at Barcelona.

Prior to the 2026 World Cup final, the Argentinian had commended Yamal, who took Messi’s famous Barcelona No. 10 shirt last season.

“He’s a tremendous player … a global star,” Messi remarked. “At the age of 19, he still has his entire career ahead of him.”