Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has revealed the touching words Lionel Messi shared with him after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, describing the encounter as one he will never forget.
The emotional exchange came moments after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday to win the World Cup.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina's reign as world champions and handing Spain another historic FIFA World Cup title.
Yamal Opens Up On Messi's Words
Following the final whistle, Messi was seen embracing the 19-year-old Spanish star in a moment that quickly went viral across social media.
Speaking after the match, Yamal disclosed what the Argentina captain told him during the emotional embrace.
"He's the greatest player in history and someone I've always looked up to. After the match, I wanted to show him my respect," Yamal said.
According to the Barcelona youngster, Messi encouraged him to continue working hard and embrace the future.
"He told me to keep following my path and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words are worth as much as the gold medal hanging around my neck."
Yamal admitted it was difficult to believe he had just won the World Cup after sharing the pitch with his football idol.
"If someone had told me a few years ago that I'd be here lifting the World Cup after playing against Lionel Messi, I would have thought they were crazy."
Spain Crowned World Champions
Spain dominated much of the final but struggled to break down Argentina's resilient defence until Ferran Torres finally found the breakthrough in extra time.
The victory sealed Spain's World Cup triumph after an impressive tournament in which they conceded just one goal before the final.
Messi Congratulates Spain
Despite the disappointment of defeat, Messi later took to social media to congratulate Spain on their victory.
The Argentina captain admitted losing the final was painful but praised his teammates for reaching consecutive World Cup finals.
"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal," Messi wrote.
He also thanked Argentine fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament before congratulating Spain on becoming world champions.
The heartfelt exchange between Messi and Yamal has since become one of the defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, symbolising respect between generations and celebrating the spirit of football.