The 39-Year-Old vs. the 19-Year-Old
The photos from back then are just one facet of this clash, which electrifies the sports world ahead of the big showdown of the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Messi vs. Yamal. The 39-year-old vs. the 19-year-old.
For around two decades, Messi has shaped the football world like no other. Apart from his Portuguese perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who, however, was clearly overshadowed by the Argentine at this World Cup.
Past, present, and future - this duel brings everything together. Who will, to stick with the imagery, 'lather up' whom on Sunday?
Messi: The Ambler, but Still a Magician
Messi, the eight-time World Footballer of the Year, has already impressively silenced his critics at this World Cup.
Eight goals and four assists are to his name. With 21 goals, he has taken the lead in the World Cup all-time top scorer list, and could well finish as the tournament's top scorer.
Natürlich wird es einen Zeitpunkt geben, an dem er aufhört. Aber so lange will er der Beste bleiben.
So often it got close for Argentina during the knockout phase, so often Messi delivered. "It's crazy what we're experiencing right now," said the veteran after the semi-final drama against England. "Now it will happen as God wills."
As long as he himself wants to, Messi will remain the best, said coach Lionel Scaloni. "Of course, there will come a time when he stops. But for that long, he wants to remain the best."
And as long as that's the case, his teammates are also happy to run a few extra meters for their idol. Messi is no longer the speed dribbler of old, at times even more of an ambler. But still a magician. When it counts, he conjures magic from his ankle. The ÖFB team also experienced this firsthand during their 0-2 loss in the group stage, with two Messi goals.
Yamal: Still Without Dominance
Yamal has not yet left a significant sporting mark on this World Cup, his first. Spain's youngster has one goal and one assist ahead of the final.
It is rather others who have carried the European champions to the final on the outskirts of New York: the strong defense including goalkeeper Unai Simón, five-goal scorer Mikel Oyarzabal, and playmaker Dani Olmo. What Yamal carries, however, is the hope of the entire nation.
Der große Tag von Lamine Yamal kommt noch bei dieser WM.
"Lamine Yamal's big day is still to come at this World Cup," said coach Luis de la Fuente with conviction before the dominant semi-final victory against France. Perhaps just at the right time.
The youngster himself remains unimpressed by all the hype and expectations placed upon him. Yamal knows exactly that his feints can make the difference in the possession-based and controlled game of the Iberians. Even if it's only in a single moment. In more ways than one, the Spaniard is a mini-Messi.
The Parallels Between Messi and Yamal
Like his great idol, Yamal was trained in FC Barcelona's famous talent academy, La Masia. Like the Argentine, he is a record-breaker.
And like Messi once did, winning the Champions League four times and the Spanish championship ten times, among other titles, he wants to collect titles with the Catalans. Yamal debuted for Barça's professionals as a 15-year-old. As a 17-year-old, he became a rising star with Spain, winning the European Championship in 2024, also becoming the youngest player and goalscorer in European Championship history.
Now, then, the direct duel of the two ball virtuosos. On one side, Messi, who, by winning the World Cup title four years ago, removed the last blemish from his career and shed the burden of being the possibly unfinished heir to Diego Maradona.
On the other, Yamal, who, after a meteoric rise, may already call himself a European and World Champion as a teenager. What a story. It began almost 19 years ago in a bathtub.
