NEW YORK – While the unpredictable nature of sports means that anything can happen, the storyline leading up to this Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final is hard to overlook. A potential passing of the torch: Argentina’s Lionel Messi could hand it over to Spain‘s rising star, Lamine Yamal. Alternatively, there’s the possibility of Messi asserting, “Not just yet, young one; this moment still belongs to me.”
The connection between them seems almost magical.
You might be familiar with the tale: Nearly two decades ago, a dedicated father entered his newborn son in a contest to feature in a charity calendar with players from Barcelona. His son won, leading to a cherished photo shoot where the toddler and his mother were joined by a young Messi, who had just begun establishing himself in the first team. Together, they posed with the young, awkwardly-coiffed forward gently cradling the infant in a large powder blue tub.
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Statisticians can determine the likelihood of a legendary soccer player interacting with his future successor when that successor was just an infant.
Critics may discuss the allegorical significance of the tub and the water, invoking themes of ritual and inauguration.
Believers might interpret it as evidence of a profound, mysterious universal design or a deeper meaning underlying our existence.
The rest of us will simply marvel, pondering whether the anticipated transition foretold in that nostalgic calendar will occur this Sunday just off Exit 18W of the New Jersey Turnpike amid the urban wetlands of the Meadowlands, or if we’ll have to wait a bit longer because Messi still reigns supreme.
To some, the contrast between the two players may seem peculiar—and indeed, it is. Messi is now 39 years old, while Yamal just turned 19 on Monday. Messi was already making his mark in the World Cup well before Yamal was even conceived.
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Why burden a teenager—even one as talented as Yamal—with expectations like this? We’ve seen many gifted youngsters shake the foundations of the sport only to fade by their mid-20s or settle into respectable, yet not GOAT-worthy, careers. However, Yamal invites comparisons due to his remarkable achievements thus far.
For instance, he has played 151 senior matches for Barcelona, scoring 49 goals—a stark contrast to Messi’s 32 appearances and nine goals at the same age. With the exception of Pelé, this record places Yamal ahead of all historical and contemporary GOAT candidates, including the likes of Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, as well as current stars Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and future stars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. Yamal has already secured two league titles with Barcelona and played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.
Admittedly, Yamal’s impact at this World Cup hasn’t been as pronounced, with just one goal and no assists to his name. However, he faced challenges, including an injury on April 22. When he debuted in Spain’s first match, coming on with 19 minutes left against Cape Verde, he had been sidelined for 54 days.
His role under coach Luis de la Fuente also differs from his more free-form play at Barcelona; in this tournament, he’s been more restrained, focusing on maintaining possession and supporting the team.
Yet, finals can forge legends, and Yamal has the chance to shine, potentially leading Spain to victory much like he has done for Barcelona. If he seizes this moment, we’ll witness a pivotal transition from one era to another.
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Conversely, Messi could remind everyone of his unyielding brilliance, delivering one last awe-inspiring performance before transitioning into soccer’s pantheon, potentially achieving back-to-back World Cups alongside consecutive Copa América titles, a feat unmatched by any nation.
If that happens, one can imagine Yamal observing and thinking, “That’s the standard I need to aspire to.”
Of course, it’s also possible that neither player shines brightly. They could both perform below their best, as even greatness can have off days. The match could hinge on the performance of others, relegating both superstars to supporting roles. That’s the reality of this sport, where, despite the significance of star players, teamwork reigns supreme.
All we can do is wait and see.