In Lamine Yamal’s old neighbourhood, World Cup final against Messi brings pride

The neighborhood where Spanish forward Lamine Yamal developed his skills is buzzing with anticipation for the World Cup final against Lionel Messi's Argentina. Locals in the working-class, multi-ethnic area outside Barcelona expressed pride and excitement.

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Now that the moment has come when the two of them are going to play against each other, it’s incredible.

"Now that the moment has come when the two of them are going to play against each other, it’s incredible," said Keba, an 18-year-old Senegalese resident, referring to Yamal's known admiration for Messi. A viral photograph of a baby-faced Messi with Yamal has captured imaginations ahead of Sunday's final in New Jersey.

Yamal, born in Spain to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, has consistently acknowledged his roots. He uses the "304" hand gesture, referencing his neighborhood's postal code, after scoring goals. During the World Cup, he has worn a headband with "Rocafonda" on it and displayed the flags of his parents' countries of origin on his boots, emphasizing football as an example of racial and social integration.

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I want Spain to win.

His grandmother, Fatima Nasraoui, and cousin Rayan watched from a bench in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataro, where children played on a pitch behind a mural of Yamal's face. "I want Spain to win," Nasraoui said, adding she would cheer loudly if he scored. Rayan described Yamal as "like a brother" due to their shared upbringing.

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To me, Lamine means many good things, but above all he’s like a brother because we grew up together.