Lamine Yamal shines in World Cup final as Lionel Messi passes the baton

NEW YORK — The passing of the baton from Lionel Messi to Lamine Yamal took place in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, as Spain deservedly beat Argentina and their teenage hero played a starring role. The apprentice outplayed his master on the biggest stage of all. Yamal went to Messi and embraced him at the final whistle and the respect between them is huge. MORE — Rodri dominates for Spain But as Messi is set to depart, Yamal is now the star set to dominate the next two decades of the global game. He's been key in Spain winning back-to-back major trophies. He's still 19 years old. Remember. 39-year-old Lionel Messi was largely anonymous in this final, as 19-year-old Lamine Yamal was the standout attacking player for Spain. He took more shots and completed more dribbles than any other player. It has taken Yamal just a few years to do with Spain what took Messi almost two decades to do with Argentina. The tone was set early. Lamine Yamal got in twice inside the opening minutes. First his low shot took a deflection and Emiliano Martinez somehow saved when heading the other way as Argentina hacked away. Then moments later Rodri played him in but the angle was too tight and his cross was cleared. Lamine Yamal and Spain with a big chance to take the early lead in The Final pic.twitter.com/EoVUIvHlgl — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 There were then audible gasps from the crowd as Yamal picked a high ball out of the air with a touch softer than a baby seal. His cross was on the money but Spain's forwards didn't gamble and would have had a tap-in. This touch by Lamine Yamal ‍ pic.twitter.com/gtYAGAc5fJ — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 19, 2026 Meanwhile Messi tried to get on the ball but couldn't really impact the game in the first 45 minutes, and was fouled on a few occasions every time he threatened to turn. Messi kept dropping deeper and deeper to try and get on the ball and was almost playing as a holding midfielder at times in the first half. In the first half Yamal had almost twice as many touches as Messi. At the end of 90 minutes only one player on the pitch had fewer touches than Messi. His strike partner Julian Alvarez to underline Argentina's struggles. When leading Argentina out for the start of the second half Messi looked worried. Most of the time he looks like he's smelled something bad. That was his vibe throughout the final. In the second half Messi was reduced to going back on the edge of his own box to try and get on the ball as Argentina couldn't get get him involved. Yamal grew more and more frustrated as Argentina doubled up on him and hacked away at him. But he still skipped away and clipped in a beautiful cross for Ferran Torres but he put his close-range header straight at Emiliano Martinez. At the hydration break in the second half Messi's brow was furrowed. Moments later Yamal left an Argentine defender in his dust with a clever move as the crowd gasped loudly, again, at his silky skills. Messi was floored by Laporte in the 91st minute and looked exhausted as he peeled himself off the hot bobbly pitch. Meanwhile Yamal had a curling, swerving free kick pushed away by Martinez in the 95th minute before extra time arrived. The master and the apprentice had very different World Cup finals and it was Yamal celebrating at the final whistle of extra time as he sunk to his knees in delight. Messi bent over in despair, then grimaced as he took it all in after sitting on the pitch. Messi takes a moment on the pitch after Argentina lost in the FIFA World Cup Final to Spain in extra time pic.twitter.com/3kxMK1aTFM — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 The master will of course still be way ahead of Yamal for many years to come, if not always, but Yamal showed his class when it mattered most. The similarities between the two are pretty wild when you see them play on the same pitch. That famous picture of Messi holding Yamal as a six-month old is quite incredible, as they squared off in the final with the hopes of their respective nations on their shoulders. Speaking about Yamal ahead of the final, Messi was asked by Tom Brady on the stage at the Fanatics Fest in New York City about that famous photo and facing the young Spanish sensation. "Lamine is an amazing player who I follow closely because he plays for a club I love and I always wish him the best and want the best for him," Messi said. "He is one of the world's leading stars, at 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him and he has a great opportunity to achieve something historic which will try our best to ensure doesn't happen this time. But I wish him all the best. Honestly, looking at that photo is crazy because well, that's life, right? I took a photo with him while he was a baby and today we are both facing each other in the World Cup." Life is crazy and now Messi has passed the baton to Yamal to follow in his footsteps. They both came through the academy at Barcelona. Have both been teenage sensations who play the game the same way. Both are the inspiration for their nations and the x-factor. Both have reserved personalities but Yamal is perhaps already more lively and outspoken than Messi ever has been. Yamal is following Messi's path to greatness and he outshone him in New Jersey. And now as Messi appears set to say farewell to the international game, Yamal is just getting started. Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi share a moment after Spain takes down Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final pic.twitter.com/Unagnmyp5v — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026