Lionel Messi has long been an idol—and even a godfather figure—for Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Once the heir to Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt, Yamal now wears the same jersey, symbolizing a unique bond that goes beyond comparisons. That relationship will take on a new chapter as Spain and Argentina prepare to face each other in the Finals on March 27.
The much-anticipated clash will be staged at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the same ground where Argentina lifted the 2022 World Cup. Spain arrive as European champions, while Argentina are the reigning holders of the Finals, having beaten Italy 3–0 at Wembley in 2022. France had previously claimed the trophy in 1985 and 1993.
Yamal on Comparisons With Messi
This match will mark the first on-field meeting between Barcelona prodigy Yamal and Inter Miami star Messi. The similarities are obvious—both operate on the right wing, are left-footed, and have worn Barcelona’s No. 10—but Yamal has been clear about forging his own identity.
“𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆,” 𝒀𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅. “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎—𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉.”
Despite never having faced each other in a competitive match before, their connection dates back years. A photo of Messi posing with a young Yamal for a charity calendar in 2007 resurfaced during Euro 2024, highlighting how far their journeys have intertwined. Another image shows Yamal at Barcelona’s training ground during his academy days, with Messi then starring for the club’s first team.
As Spain and Argentina meet in Qatar, football fans will witness not just a battle of champions—but a symbolic meeting of generations.
