In Yamal's old neighbourhood, final vs Messi brings pride

The working-class, multi-ethnic neighborhood of Rocafonda outside Barcelona is buzzing with pride as it looks ahead to the World Cup final. Spain's young forward Lamine Yamal, who developed his skills on a local pitch, is set to face Lionel Messi's Argentina.

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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. Yamal, now 19, has openly admired Messi throughout his career. A viral photograph showing the Argentine legend with a baby Yamal has captured the imagination of many ahead of Sunday's final in New Jersey.

Yamal, born in Spain to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, has consistently honored his roots. He often uses his trademark "304" hand gesture after scoring, a nod to Rocafonda's postal code. During the World Cup, he has worn a headband displaying "Rocafonda" and the flags of his parents' countries of origin on his boots, emphasizing football's role in racial and social integration.

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I want Spain to win.

His grandmother, Fatima Nasraoui, and his 15-year-old cousin Rayan watched from a nearby bench. "I want Spain to win," Nasraoui stated, adding she would cheer loudly if he scored. Rayan described Yamal as more than a teammate, saying, "To me, Lamine means many good things, but above all he's like a brother because we grew up together."

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