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Lamine Yamal received high praise after helping Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final.
The 19-year-old put in 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 winner’s medal to his Euro triumph.
The passing of the torch in New York
In a moment that will go down in soccer history, Yamal tearfully hugged Lionel Messi at the conclusion of the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The images were impossible to ignore; a passing of the torch from a 39-year-old icon to a 19-year-old phenom. Yamal, wearing Barcelona’s number 10 shirt for his club, offered solace to the man who arguably defined that very shirt.
La Roja’s 1-0 victory, achieved by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, ensured that Yamal became the youngest player to win both the European Championship and the World Cup. At only 19 years and six days old, he has achieved what many legends do not achieve in their lives.
Hart and De la Fuente praise the teen star
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart highlighted Yamal’s composure after Argentina repeatedly challenged the teenager during the final.
He BBC sport The pundit said: “Lamine Yamal not only didn’t react. He stood up. He didn’t fidget or back down. He had the whole team trying to crush him. He just stayed very calm. It was a really outstanding performance on his part. Lamine Yamal is 19. What a beautiful day for him. He’s 19 and he’s completed football.”
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente also praised the young man’s contribution after the victory.
“He has played great football that will help him mature and become an even better footballer than he already is. He really sacrificed himself for the collective good. This is very important in my team. In my opinion, he played a great World Cup.”
The perfect start for Spain
Despite entering the competition troubled by a hamstring injury, Yamal started seven of Spain’s eight matches at the 2026 World Cup and won every single one of them.
That lingering issue seemed to hamper his usual offensive performance, resulting in a somewhat disappointing personal campaign with just one goal. In the end, his calmer tournament allowed his teammate Pau Cubarsà to win the FIFA Young Player award.
However, 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 starts in major tournaments.
This flawless streak is the longest perfect streak for any European titleholder 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 it returns to the top of world football.
Yamal seeks to build on historic success
Yamal will now return to club football having reinforced 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 only 19 years old, the Barcelona winger has already accumulated a notable list of trophies. With De la Fuente continuing to trust him, Yamal looks set to remain at the heart of Spain’s new era as the world champions look to build on their latest success.
