The two highest ranked footballing nations in the world are set to face off next year, as Argentina and Spain travel to Qatar for the 2026 Finalissima.
The contest, played between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, will provide a snapshot of the favourites for the 2026 World Cup. But there is another storyline that is even more compelling.
Lionel Messi, in the final years of his career, is set to play the man that many have labelled his successor — Lamine Yamal. Both men broke through the ranks at Barcelona playing off the right flank, both have donned the famous number 10 at the Camp Nou, and both were touted for big things after their emergence.
Yamal has a long way to go to match the legacy left behind by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. But how does his record at 18-years-old stack up compared to Messi's?
A picture of Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi both in Barcelona kit with Barcelona theme Related
Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi's Statistics After 100 Barcelona Games Compared
Yamal has now played 100 times for Barcelona - but has he achieved more than Messi after his first century of matches?
Yamal and Messi's Records at 18 Compared
Barcelona's newest star only turned 18 back in July 2025, but he already had a mountain of football under his belt by the time he hit adulthood. Per Planet Football, the Spanish international had played 127 times for club and country, producing 74 goal contributions since making his debut for the Blaugrana in April 2023.
Taking to the pitch at just 15 years, nine months and 16 days old made him the youngest player to play a La Liga game, and he's gone on to smash even more records since then. He became the Spanish top flight's youngest goalscorer, the youngest player to start a Champions League game and the youngest player for La Roja too — just three notable records among an extensive list.
As a point of comparison, Messi made his senior debut at 17-years-old and would only go on to play nine times before he eventually reached 18. Moreover, he had only managed one professional goal by that point, which came in added time during Barcelona's 2-0 victory against Albacete Balompie - he was 17 years, 10 months and seven days old.
Check Out Messi and Yamal's Stats at 18 Below:
Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal at 18
Lionel Messi
17 years, 3 months, 22 days
9
1
It only goes to prove how meteoric Yamal's rise has been in the early stages of his career. Already one of the best players in the world, March's Finalissima could very well mark the changing of the guard as Messi winds down his career, while his replacement is only getting started.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona Related
The Origin of Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi’s Viral Photo Together
Fans were left stunned by the image shared by Lamine Yamal's father, which shows the Spaniard with Lionel Messi over 16 years ago.
Yamal Does Not Compare Himself to Messi
lamine yamal
Rather than be drawn into comparisons with the footballing legend, Yamal has previously expressed that he wants to forge his own career at Barcelona and within the beautiful game. Asked about comparisons to Messi back in April 2025, he said: "I don't compare myself to him, because I don't compare myself to anyone - and much less with Messi.
"I don't think the comparison makes sense, with Messi even less - I'm going to enjoy myself, and be myself."
He went on to reaffirm that stance at the start of December, stating: "I respect him, in the end for what's he's been, for what he is to football, and if we ever meet on a pitch, there will be that mutual respect because we are players and because, for me, he's the best in history.
"He also knows I am a player and I respect him, so it's mutual respect. We both know I don't want to be Messi and Messi knows I don't want to be him.
"I want to follow my path and that's it. I don't have the intention of playing like him or wearing the No.10 that Messi wore or anything like that."