A teenage footballer embraced a tearful Lionel Messi at the end of the World Cup final, an image that felt like a passing of the torch. Lamine Yamal, just 19 years and six days old, had just become the youngest player ever to win both the European Championship and the World Cup. Having already helped Spain beat England in Euro 2024, he lifted the World Cup in 2026 after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New York. Barcelona's number 10 had completed international football in barely two years.
Yamal is a product of Barcelona's La Masia academy, just like Messi. The two share a remarkable link: in September 2007, a 20-year-old Messi held a six-month-old Yamal for a charity calendar photo that went viral again before the final. Now, after the match, Yamal consoled the 39-year-old Messi, who may have played his last World Cup. Argentina's defeat was compounded by a tense final that saw their players involved in a brawl after the match.
“Lamine Yamal's World Cup win at 19, his record, and the tragedy marring Spain's celebrations.”
For UK readers, Yamal's rise is a reminder of Spain's dominance. He has yet to lose a competitive match for Spain in 28 appearances, and has started 13 major tournament games, winning all of them – the longest 100% win rate of any European player. He joins Pele, Giuseppe Bergomi and Kylian Mbappé as the only teenagers to start and win a World Cup final. His Spain teammate Pau Cubarsi, also 19, achieved the same feat.
But the celebrations in Spain turned to tragedy. In Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, a 13-year-old boy died when the Arbol Gordo fountain partially collapsed during victory celebrations. Two other people were injured, one with a possible broken leg. The mayor declared three days of mourning, and the town's flags flew at half-mast. Local football club Ciudad Rodrigo CF said the town was "dismayed" by the news.
Q: Has Lionel Messi retired after the World Cup final? Messi has not officially announced his retirement, but he was overcome with emotion after Argentina's loss. At 39, this may have been his last World Cup appearance. He spoke to fans and received consolation from Yamal in what felt like a symbolic farewell.
Q: How many World Cups has Lamine Yamal won? Lamine Yamal has won one World Cup (2026) and one European Championship (2024). He is the youngest player to win both tournaments, achieving the double at 19 years and six days.
Q: What happened during the World Cup final celebrations in Spain? A 13-year-old boy died when a fountain collapsed in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, as hundreds of thousands of fans celebrated Spain's win. Two others were injured, and the city declared three days of mourning.
What happens next: Messi's retirement decision is awaited. FIFA may review the brawl involving Argentina's Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes. Spain will look ahead to future tournaments with Yamal as their talisman. Ciudad Rodrigo will observe mourning until July 22.