Lorenz Pereira: “Lamine Yamal’s INCREDIBLE speech about Lionel Messi after Spain’s FIFA World Cup victory over Argentina…*
Yamal: “Tonight I lifted the World Cup for Spain, but at the same time, I experienced something that will one day inspire my children. The man who held me in his arms when I was a baby was on the opposing side of the field, fighting for the same dream. Football has this magnificent way of turning stories into a full circle.”
“When I looked at Messi after the final whistle blew, I didn’t just see an opponent. I saw the player who made millions of children, including me, believe that football could be an art. I saw that man from the videos I watched endlessly, trying to copy the things no one else could do.”
I know this defeat will hurt him. You don’t play with that much passion, carry your country on your back time and again, and lose a World Cup final without it stinging. Even in defeat, he kept demanding the ball, creating chances, and refusing to give up on belief. That’s what champions do.”
“People will talk about Spain winning this World Cup, and they should. But they’ll also remember that at an age when most legends have retired, Messi sent the world’s best defenders into a panic with every touch of the ball. That’s extraordinary.”
“The photo of Messi breaking me during the match has become one of football’s most iconic images. Today we took another photo together, but this time I was able to thank him face to face. Without players like him, kids like me wouldn’t dare to dream this big.”
“One day another generation will topple mine. That’s football. But there will never be another Lionel Messi. Records can be broken and trophies won, but making an entire generation fall in love with the game is something only a handful of people in history can achieve.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JUNE 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, United States. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
“Tonight belongs to Spain. Tomorrow the debates will continue. But my respect for Lionel Messi will never change. He didn’t need to win this final to prove who he is. To me, he’ll remain one of the greatest players football has ever seen, and sharing the pitch with him will be a privilege I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”
I know this defeat will hurt him. You don’t play with that much passion, carry your country on your back time and again, and lose a World Cup final without it stinging. Even in defeat, he kept demanding the ball, creating chances, and refusing to give up on belief. That’s what champions do.”
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