Famous photograph of the pair with Yamal as a baby has been making the rounds before the final
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente is not having suggestions that the World Cup final can be seen as a symbolic handover from Lionel Messi to Lamine Yamal.
The famous photograph of the world’s greatest ever player bathing Yamal as a baby has made the rounds on all forms of media and racked up significant attention before the match.
“Lamine has to be Lamine,” De la Fuente said. “Messi is a one-of-a-time-in-history player, and he’s an example, a role model for youth and younger players: his attitude, his behaviour. At his age, he’s playing such a spectacular competition at the World Cup.
“I insist Lamine has to be Lamine Yamal himself, and the best way we can support him is by helping him be the person we know today because he has a great potential, a great future.”
Never forget Lionel Messi was photographed with Lamine Yamal for a charity photoshoot now 39-year-old Messi will play 19-year-old Yamal in the World Cup Finals 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rwiJ5pBPFo
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) July 16, 2026
Yamal has not been 100% at this World Cup. He has battled for fitness after an injury sustained towards the end of the season while playing for Barcelona, where he has taken over Messi’s former No 10 shirt.
But Spain received encouraging news this week after the 19-year-old trained with the squad despite taking a blow to his left thigh in the semi-final that added to his worries.
“Today he participated in the training with the other teammates, and he is fine,” De la Fuente said. “He is fine. He is in optimal condition.”
De la Fuente said that, far from being worried about Yamal’s fitness or even the match against Argentina, his only concern before the final was the helicopter journey back to New Jersey after media duties in New York.
“I am nervous because we are going back by helicopter,” Spain’s coach said. “I’m serious. We got here by helicopter, and we have to take the helicopter to go back and that makes me really anxious. About everything else, I’m calm. I’m lucky enough to be in this situation, and I insist, we just want to enjoy this amazing moment.”
Spain will attempt to win the World Cup for the second time when they face Argentina, who are seeking to retain the title they won in 2022. Team captain Rodri believes years of steady progress have put his side in position to compete for the trophy in Sunday’s final.
“We’ve been gradually growing,” Rodri said. “We have to keep doing the same things we’re doing because it has been a process for all five years.”
Spain have conceded only once in seven matches at the tournament. Since drawing with Cape Verde in their opening game, they have won six in a row and outscored opponents 13-1, including a 2-0 semi-final victory over France.
“Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this,” Rodri said. “We’ve shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents.”
The Manchester City midfielder rejected the idea that Spain rely on one style of play, arguing that their flexibility has been a key factor in reaching the final.
“I don’t think you’ve seen the same Spain across all the matches,” he said. “I think Sunday’s match will be quite different, as it will be a more physical one and we must be prepared. And I believe if we are known for something in this national team is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.
“So, we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.”
