Lamine Yamal Reveals the Advice Lionel Messi Gave Him After Spain’s FIFA World Cup Win

Lamine Yamal has revealed what Lionel Messi told him after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York on July 19th.

The two players embraced on the pitch after the final whistle on Sunday before exchanging a few words. Yamal later explained the message he received from the Argentina captain.

He told me to keep going my way and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words mean as much to me as the gold medal around my neck. He’s someone I’ve always admired. At the end of the match, I showed him my respect.

Lamine Yamal said via ESPN

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Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and delivered another impressive tournament in 2026. He scored eight goals and provided four assists across Argentina’s eight matches in North America. The connection between Messi and Yamal dates back to the latter’s childhood.

In 2007, a 20-year-old Messi took part in a UNICEF and Barcelona calendar photo shoot that included a five-month-old Yamal. Yamal, who inherited Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt last season, later revealed that Messi’s message after the final meant as much to him as his World Cup gold medal.

Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina secured Yamal’s first World Cup title, the nation’s second overall and the first since winning it back in 2010 in South Africa.

Barcelona have no plans to move Lamine Yamal into a permanent false nine role

Barcelona are not planning to change Lamine Yamal’s position despite continuing their search for a new No. 9. According to reports from El País, the club’s coaching staff believe Yamal remains most effective when he starts on the right wing.

A permanent move into a false nine role is not currently being considered. Barcelona continue to prioritise the signing of Julian Alvarez. However, the complexity of a potential deal has led the club’s sporting department to assess alternative targets.

Yamal has shown that he can move into central areas and influence games between the lines. Barcelona’s coaching staff, however, view those movements as situational rather than a reason to change his starting position.

The club wants Yamal to have the freedom to attack defenders in one-on-one situations from the right wing. Starting wide also allows him to move inside when opportunities arise without making him responsible for leading the attack.

Yamal has previously acknowledged that he could eventually move into a more central role. He believes receiving the ball between the lines could help him deal with the defensive attention he regularly faces on the wing.

I’m actually more decisive when I receive the ball and turn in central positions than when I’m out wide. But right now, I think it’s best for the team that I play on the wing.

-Lamine Yamal said via Barca Universal

For now, Barcelona plan to keep Yamal on the wing while searching for a recognised striker to lead the attack.

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