Spain are through to the World Cup final and Lamine Yamal has made clear who he wants to be victorious when Argentina meet England in Wednesday's semi-final.
Yamal and La Roja beat tournament favourites France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium to book their place in the final at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey in East Rutherford. It's just the second time the Spaniards have reached the biggest game in international football and they will be hoping for a repeat of their 2010 triumph.
A Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and Pedro Porro's fine finish saw off the French and ensured there will be no replay of the 2022 final. Yamal wasn't on the scoresheet but he played his part in an impressive victory for Luis de la Fuente's side.
Who Yamal Wants to Face in World Cup Final
Lamine Yamal celebrates for SpainHeiko Becker Via Reuters
Spain could face England in a repeat of the Euro 2024 final, which they won 2-1, but there's also a chance of seeing Yamal take on one of his footballing idols. For most Barcelona fans, it's a dream to see their new superstar take on arguably the greatest player of all-time.
Yamal said ahead of his nation's win on Tuesday (via Fabrizio Romano): "Facing Leo Messi in a World Cup final would be fantastic. I hope so!”
Lionel MessiReuters/Brett Davis
For that to happen, reigning champions Argentina must beat England at Atlanta Stadium, and it's a tough one to call. Lionel Messi is firing on all cylinders and sits on eight goals in six games ahead of the semi-final.
Messi has never played against Yamal in competitive football, and it's a story that writes itself. The 19-year-old Barca attacker hasn't quite been at his best during the World Cup but will relish the chance to battle his idol in the biggest showpiece in world football.
World Cup 2026 Quiz
You scored
↩ Play again
Yamal Missed Out on Facing His Idol
Lamine YamalBrett Davis (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
There are many interesting subplots that will ensue no matter whom Spain face in Sunday's final. If it's England, Yamal comes up against his new Barca teammate, Anthony Gordon, and his former Catalan ally, Marcus Rashford.
If it's Argentina, he has the chance to prove he is Messi's heir, both for the Blaugrana and on the international stage. But he won't get the chance to ever face his idol Neymar, who bowed out of international football after Brazil's 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16.
Yamal previously revealed that he looked up to Neymar despite acknowledging Messi as the greatest player of all-time. He said: "Obviously, my idol is Neymar because I like watching him play, but Messi is the best, and there is no discussion about that."
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni at the 2026 World Cup Related
Lionel Scaloni Makes Feelings Clear When Asked About Argentina and England's Rivalry
Argentina's manager made his feelings clear about their rivalry with England ahead of the 2026 World Cup semi-final.
Neymar earned a surprise call-up to Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the World Cup but was handed a bit-part role. He wasn't one of the superstars who have stepped up for their countries, including Jude Bellingham, who could fire England to a final and come up against his El Clasico rival.