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Lamine Yamal received glowing praise after helping Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final.
The 19-year-old produced another composed performance on football’s biggest stage, with former England goalkeeper Joe Hart claiming the Barcelona winger had “completed football” after adding a World Cup winners’ medal to his European Championship triumph.
The passing of the torch in New York
In a moment that will be etched in football history, Yamal embraced a tearful Lionel Messi at the end of the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The imagery was impossible to ignore; a passing of the torch from a 39-year-old icon to a 19-year-old phenomenon. Yamal, wearing Barcelona’s number 10 shirt for his club, offered consolation to the man who arguably defined that very shirt.
The 1-0 victory for La Roja, secured by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, ensured that Yamal became the youngest ever player to win both the European Championship and the World Cup. At just 19 years and six days old, he has achieved what many legends fail to do in a lifetime.
Hart, De la Fuente Ro’s Teenage Star
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart highlighted Yamal’s composure after the teenager was repeatedly challenged by Argentina throughout the final.
The BBC Sports pundit said: “Not only did Lamine Yamal not react. He stood up to it. He didn’t get rattled and he didn’t back down. He had the whole team trying to smash him. He just stayed really cool. It was a really outstanding performance from him. Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a beautiful day for him. He’s 19 and has completed football.”
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente also praised the young man’s contribution after the win.
“He has played fantastic football that will help him mature and become an even greater footballer than he already is. He really sacrificed for the collective good. This is very important in my squad. In my opinion he played a fantastic World Cup.”
Spain’s perfect start
Despite entering the competition with concerns over a hamstring injury, Yamal started seven of Spain’s eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, winning each of them.
The lingering problem appeared to hamper his usual attacking output, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming personal campaign with just one goal. In the end, his quieter tournament allowed teammate Pau Cubarsà to beat him to the FIFA Young Player award.
Still, Yamal’s influence on the team’s historic success was absolute. Added to his six starts at Euro 2024, he has now won all 13 of his major tournament starts.
This flawless run is the longest perfect streak by any European starter in major tournament history. His ability to balance individual brilliance with defensive discipline and tactical awareness has made him the undisputed jewel in Spain’s crown as they return to the summit of world football.
Yamal looks to build on historical success
Yamal now returns to club football after cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars after adding a World Cup winner’s medal to his European Championship triumph.
At just 19, the Barcelona winger has already collected a remarkable trophy haul. With De la Fuente continuing to rely on him, Yamal looks set to remain at the heart of Spain’s new era as the world champions aim to build on their recent success.
