By our reporter 17.7.2026
Barcelona FC president Joan Laporta said he is happy to see two products of the club come face to face in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bill for Sunday in New York USA.
The final dubbed “the unbeatables v untouchables,” by a section of the media features Lamine Yamal, 20, and Lionel Messi, 39, who is probably having his last World Cup dance.
Laporta said raising star Yamal and legend Messi have both contributed to the success enjoyed by Barcelona. He hailed Lionel Messi’s legacy while backing Lamine Yamal as the future, insisting Barcelona’s identity will be at the heart of the showpiece.
“Messi has also reached the final, and I’m delighted,” Laporta told RAC1. “He’s a source of pride for La Masia. Messi is the past and the present, and Lamine is the present and the future. We’re very happy to have what is the genuine Barca style of play.
“As president, I’m proud to have developed these two players at home, and if we add Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, [Pau] Cubarsi, who’s having a spectacular World Cup, [Dani] Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran [Torres]… It’s spectacular.”
Much of the talk ahead of the final has been on how Yamal and Messi can help their team. Yamal has one goal to his credit and has created four assists for Spain in seven appearances, while Messi have recorded eight goals and four assists in seven games, he is the leading contender for the golden boot award.
