Asked whether Spain would win the World Cup, Lamine Yamal smiled and said, “Yes.”
That reply to US broadcaster CBS surprised no one who has watched the assured teenager emerge as one of the game’s elite talents.
Still, many assumed that for his bold prediction to come true, he would need to light up his first World Cup.
So far, that hasn’t happened.
The 19-year-old has one goal and no assists, yet Spain have still strolled into the final, where they will meet Argentina on Sunday.
While stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland have dominated the headlines, Lamine Yamal’s tournament has been notably subdued.
But could the final be his stage?
His numbers for Spain are outstanding: he’s unbeaten in 27 competitive appearances. He has started 12 major-tournament matches for Spain and won every one—the longest 100% start record by any European player at major finals.
If he scores in New York on Sunday, he would be just the third teenager to net in a World Cup final, after Pelé in 1950 and Mbappé in 2018.
If Spain lift the trophy, he would become only the fourth teenager to start a World Cup final and win it, following Pelé, Mbappé and Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi in 1982. Nineteen-year-old teammate Pau Cubarsi could be the fifth.
“Nobody will care how many goals or assists Lamine has,” said one Spain fan. “If he wins the World Cup with Spain, he’ll be a legend forever.
“If we lose to Argentina, people won’t remember his first World Cup. We know he’ll have many more and we think he’ll become the greatest.
“But not many teenagers get the chance to win a World Cup. This is his shot. He’ll have regrets if we lose and he hasn’t shown his best.”