TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final cemented Lamine Yamal's status as one of football's brightest stars, with the 19-year-old becoming the youngest player ever to win both the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.
Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure La Roja's second World Cup title after their triumph in 2010.
BBC Sport reported that one of the defining moments after the final whistle came when Yamal embraced a tearful Lionel Messi, who stood gazing at Argentina's supporters after what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance. The image of Barcelona's current No. 10 consoling one of the club's greatest-ever No. 10s symbolized a passing of the torch between two generations.
The embrace also revived memories of the famous 2007 charity calendar photograph showing a 20-year-old Messi bathing a six-month-old Yamal, an image that resurfaced throughout the tournament.
At just 19 years and six days old, Yamal has now become the youngest player to win both the European Championship and the World Cup, surpassing every previous record. According to FC Barcelona website, he achieved both titles before turning 20 and won each competition on his first attempt at international level.
Yamal first announced himself on the global stage during Euro 2024, helping Spain lift the continental title in Germany. He was named the tournament's Best Young Player, won the Goal of the Tournament award for his strike against France in the semifinals, and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament while still only 17 years old.
He followed that achievement with another outstanding campaign at the 2026 World Cup, contributing a goal while playing a pivotal role in Spain's attack. Throughout the tournament, the Barcelona winger consistently unsettled opposing defenses with his pace, dribbling, and creativity.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente praised the teenager's contribution after the final.
"He has played great football that will help him to mature and be an even greater footballer than he already is," De la Fuente said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
"He really sacrificed for the collective good. This is very important in my squad. In my opinion he played a great World Cup."
Yamal also maintained a remarkable record with the Spanish national team. Spain remains unbeaten in all 28 competitive matches he has played, while the winger has now started 13 matches at major international tournaments and won every one of them.
His latest achievement adds another chapter to an extraordinary rise that has already seen him inherit Barcelona's iconic No. 10 shirt while establishing himself as one of the world's elite young talents.
The World Cup final also placed Yamal among the youngest players ever to appear on football's biggest stage. FC Barcelona noted that he became the third-youngest player to feature in a World Cup final, behind only Brazil legend Pelé and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi.
Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí also entered the record books after starting the final at 19 years and 178 days old, making him the fourth-youngest player to appear in a World Cup final and moving ahead of France star Kylian Mbappé.
BBC Sport analyst Joe Hart said Yamal's maturity stood out throughout the final, particularly as Argentina repeatedly attempted to unsettle him physically.
"Not only did Lamine Yamal not react, he stood up to it," Hart said.
"He was not rattled and he did not back down. He had the entire team trying to smash him. He just stayed real cool. It was a real standout performance from him."
Hart added that Yamal's achievements at such a young age were already extraordinary.
"Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a beautiful day for him. He's 19 and has completed football."
With a European Championship, a World Cup, and an ever-growing list of records already to his name before his 20th birthday, Yamal has established himself as one of the leading figures of a new generation poised to shape international football for years to come.
Read: Lionel Messi Reflects on Iconic Photo with Lamine Yamal
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