Spain and Lamine Yamal progressed through the competition, leaving him possessing the world at his feet and holding football’s two most coveted trophies.
In addition to his sublime natural talent, he also served as Spain’s talisman. Their command of the international arena was sealed by Ferran Torres’ crucial 106th‑minute strike in extra time.
Lamine Yamal remains unbeaten for his national team across 28 competitive matches. He has started 13 major tournament games and triumphed in every one — the longest perfect win rate for any European player when starting at such tournaments.
Together with fellow 19‑year‑old Spanish squad member Pau Cubarsi, he became just the fourth and fifth teenagers to start and win a World Cup final, following Brazil’s Pelé in 1958, Italy’s defender Giuseppe Bergomi in 1982, and France’s Kylian Mbappé in 2018.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente later expressed his “heartfelt thanks” to Lamine Yamal.
“He delivered outstanding football that will aid his development and help him become an even finer player than he is now,” he remarked.
“He truly sacrificed for the team’s benefit. That is essential in my squad. In my view, he had an exceptional World Cup.”
And this is not just an extraordinary talent; it is an extraordinary talent paired with an extraordinary temperament.
He brushed off Argentina’s clear efforts to unsettle him, frequently engaging in close physical battles, particularly with Nicolas Tagliafico.
Former England goalkeeper and sports analyst Joe Hart captured it perfectly.
“Lamine Yamal not only refrained from reacting,” he said. “He stood firm. He stayed composed and never retreated. The entire opposing team was trying to rough him up.
“He simply remained completely cool. It was a truly remarkable display from him.
“Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a wonderful day for him. At just 19, he has achieved everything in football.”
With almost his entire career still ahead, and drawing on the experience and guidance of Spanish colleagues like captain and tournament’s best player Rodri, it is highly likely that Lamine Yamal will collect more triumphs of this magnitude before he finishes.
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