Messi warns: Spain is not just about Lamine

Argentine star Lionel Messi warned on Friday that Spain’s strength in Sunday’s World Cup final, their opponent in the tournament hosted in North America, extends beyond the talent of promising young star Lamine Yamal.

The 19-year-old forward is considered one of the most promising football talents, and will face Messi (39) for the first time in a clash representing the past, present, and future of Spanish club Barcelona.

Speaking to fans on Friday in Manhattan, New York, Messi said: “Spain is not just Lamine; they have very wonderful players and a distinctive style of play, and we also have our own weapons.”

The “Albiceleste” captain added: “He is a 19-year-old world reference, with a historic opportunity to achieve a historic feat, but we, in turn, will try to give our all to prevent that from happening this time.”

Messi is delivering a magnificent World Cup performance, topping the tournament’s scoring chart with eight goals, level with Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, and sitting just one goal behind the all-time finals scoring record of 21, held by Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who has defended his world title through dramatic late comebacks.

Yamal, meanwhile, has scored only one goal in his first World Cup appearance, having arrived at the tournament not fully fit after suffering an injury during the final stages of the Spanish league.

He has not stood out individually, but has contributed to the impressive collective performance of the national team, which is managed by Luis de la Fuente.

Their matchup is also accompanied by a photo taken in 2007 showing the Argentine bathing the Spaniard, who was then merely an infant, during a charity photoshoot.

Messi said: “To have a picture of him when he was a baby, and now we are competing in the World Cup, that’s crazy. He is one of the best players in the world right now, and I wish him all the best.”