DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Messi tells Yamal: 'The future belongs to your generation' after World Cup final

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Lionel Messi offered words of encouragement to rising star Lamine Yamal after Spain's World Cup final loss.
  • Messi told Yamal, "Go your own way. The future belongs to your generation."
  • The interaction highlighted a touching connection between the legendary player and the young talent, who shares a past link through FC Barcelona.

In a moment of sportsmanship and mentorship, Lionel Messi shared words of profound encouragement with Lamine Yamal following Spain's narrow 0-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final. The exchange, captured after the match at the MetLife Stadium, saw Messi embrace the young Spanish sensation, offering him a glimpse into the future of football.

Yamal, visibly affected by the loss, approached Messi, who was sitting on the field. After they embraced, Messi imparted his wisdom: "Go your own way. The future belongs to your generation." Yamal later shared that Messi's words held as much significance for him as a gold medal.

Go your own way. The future belongs to your generation.

— Lionel MessiWords of encouragement spoken to Lamine Yamal after the World Cup final.

"He is the best player in history," Yamal stated, expressing his long-held admiration for Messi. "I have always respected him. I showed him my respect after the match." This interaction underscores the passing of a torch from one generation's icon to the next.

He is the best player in history. I have always respected him. I showed him my respect after the match.

— Lamine YamalDescribing his admiration for Lionel Messi.

The connection between Messi and Yamal dates back to 2007. A 20-year-old Messi participated in a charity calendar photoshoot organized by Catalan media and UNICEF, where he personally bathed the then 5-month-old Yamal. Now, Yamal is forging his own path, having emerged from FC Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, just as Messi did.

Yamal made his debut for Barcelona at the youngest age ever (15 years and 290 days) and holds the record for the youngest La Liga scorer (16 years and 87 days). He has also officially inherited Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey for Barcelona starting the 2025-2026 season. Messi himself had praised Yamal prior to the final, calling him "a great player and a world-class star" with "limitless potential."

He is a great player and a world-class star. He is 19 years old, and his future career is limitless.

— Lionel MessiPraising Lamine Yamal's potential before the World Cup final.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog