Lamine Yamal hopes to follow in Kylian Mbappe’s footsteps by winning the FIFA World Cup while still a teenager. But before thinking about lifting the trophy, the young Spain star must first overcome Mbappe and France in Tuesday’s semi-final.
Mbappe created history at the 2018 World Cup when he scored in France’s final win over Croatia at just 19 years and 207 days old. He became only the second teenager, after Pele in 1958, to score in a World Cup final.
This is Yamal’s first World Cup, but he has already shown he can shine on the biggest stage. At Euro 2024, he scored a stunning goal against France in the semi-finals to help Spain win 2-1. Four days later, he turned 17, and the day after his birthday, Spain defeated England in the final. Yamal was named the tournament’s Best Young Player.
Now, another major challenge awaits him. He turns 19 on the eve of Spain’s World Cup semi-final against France in Arlington.
Despite his young age, Yamal is determined to make a big impact at this World Cup. There were doubts over whether he would even play after suffering a hamstring injury towards the end of Barcelona’s season.
“I was worried it could be serious. Even if it wasn’t, I feared another setback that could make me miss the World Cup,” Yamal admitted in May.
He came off the bench in Spain’s opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde before starting the next game against Saudi Arabia, where he scored in a comfortable 4-0 win. Since then, he has started every match but has not found the net again.
Spain captain Rodri believes the youngster is trying a little too hard.
“Lamine sometimes needs to stay calm. He wants to show everyone how important he is to the team,” Rodri said. “He showed incredible maturity at the Euros, and now, two years later, we expect even more from him.”
With Yamal not having the same influence as he did at Euro 2024, Spain have missed some of the direct attacking threat that made them so dangerous.
France, meanwhile, look sharper in attack than they did at the Euros, with Mbappe leading the way.
Now 27, Mbappe is chasing another World Cup title and continues to build his legacy. He has already scored eight goals in this tournament, level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot and just one goal behind Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 21.
After winning the World Cup in 2018 and scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final, Mbappe is aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. If France get there, he will equal Brazilian legend Cafu’s record of playing in three straight World Cup finals.
Mbappe’s focus on the World Cup has been clear throughout the season. His injury struggles at Real Madrid even led some fans to question his commitment to the club.
“I know people talk about the numbers. I hear it all,” Mbappe said after France’s win over Sweden in the Round of 32. “My only goal is to help the team and be back here for the final on July 19.”
Following France’s quarter-final win over Morocco, he added: “I’ve won a World Cup and finished as a runner-up. This team hasn’t achieved that yet, but I believe it has the potential to do something special.”
Both Yamal and Mbappe have become global stars and represent the new generation of European football. While Mbappe has more experience and already has a World Cup winners’ medal, Yamal has enjoyed the upper hand whenever they have faced each other.
Over the past two years, the two have met regularly in El Clasico clashes and international matches. So far, Yamal has won eight of their 10 meetings, while Mbappe has managed just two victories.
That record will give the young Spaniard confidence, but Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final will be their biggest battle yet.
