Watch Lionel Messi embrace Lamine Yamal after World Cup final

[ASFN Admin]

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After a gutting loss in the World Cup final, Argentina's Lionel Messi took a moment to congratulate Spain phenom Lamine Yamal, a full circle moment for two Barcelona legends.

It was likely the final World Cup match for the 39-year-old Messi, considered the greatest player in soccer history. Meanwhile, Yamal – who just turned 19 – has already won a European championship and a World Cup.

The pair has a history that literally dates back to Yamal's infancy.

Photos of Messi holding Yamal and giving him a bath during a charity photoshoot made the rounds since Argentina and Spain advanced to the final.

"I did the photo when he was a baby and to face him in the World Cup, it’s crazy," Messi said Friday, July 17. "But he’s without a doubt one of the best of the world right now."

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Greatness comes full circle.

Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi share a moment after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/J3wd96fewb

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch Lionel Messi embrace Lamine Yamal after World Cup final

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