Spain’s winger Lamine Yamal revealed Lionel Messi told him to keep going his own way after the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday. Yamal won his maiden World Cup title as Spain defeated Argentina in the summit clash.

Yamal and Messi were seen embracing each other after the final whistle and the latter gave the youngster some crucial advice, which the former reckons was as valuable as his gold medal.

Yamal played a key role in Spain’s win as he played at the top of his game and kept breathing down the neck of the Argentine defenders on the right wing.

Yamal revealed: “He told me to keep going my way and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words mean as much to me as the gold medal around my neck.”

Messi once again had a splendid run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring eight goals and four assists while playing in all eight of Argentina’s World Cup games in North America.

For Yamal, the Argentina captain is “the best in the history of the game.”

“He’s someone I’ve always admired,” the Barcelona star said of Messi. “At the end of the match, I showed him my respect.”

Messi had also praised Yamal ahead of the World Cup final.

“He’s a tremendous player … a global star,” Messi said. “He’s 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him.

Yamal scored one goal in eight matches for Spain at the World Cup. Initially, he didn’t start for La Roja because of fitness woes.