Yamal vs Messi: Who Will Win?

Tomorrow morning at 2:00 a.m. (Vietnam time), Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

It will also be a symbolic showdown between Messi and Yamal. Nineteen years ago, Messi—a 20-year-old Barcelona youngster at the time—held and bathed Yamal, who was just five months old, during a charity photo shoot. Today, 19-year-old Yamal has become an indispensable star for Barcelona.

Will this be the perfect passing of the torch?

We’ll have the answer tomorrow morning. But if football follows the logic of a perfect ending, Messi may hand the crown to Yamal—like a wise king passing his throne to his most gifted prince. If that happens, Spain will defeat Argentina.

Many Messi and Argentina fans would rather not see that outcome. Yet it would still be a beautiful ending. Whether or not he retains the World Cup, Messi will always remain “One, Unique, and Second to None”—the GOAT.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up early once again, brew a cup of coffee, enjoy it with my neighbor, watch Messi’s final World Cup match, and perhaps witness Yamal begin a new era as his rightful heir.

___ Mr. Old Man