Lamine Yamal dreams of following in Kylian Mbappé’s footsteps by winning the World Cup as a teenager. But before he can chase that dream, his Spain team must overcome France and their iconic captain in Tuesday’s semi-final.
Mbappé burst onto the world stage in 2018, scoring in France’s victory over Croatia in the final at just 19 years and 207 days old making him only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, after 17-year-old Pelé in 1958. While that tournament marked the start of Mbappé’s love affair with the World Cup, this year is Yamal’s first taste of the competition.
Yamal has already made his mark at a major tournament: his stunning goal against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final helped send Spain to the final, days before his 17th birthday. He followed that up by being named young player of the tournament after Spain’s win over England. Now, as his 19th birthday approaches on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington, Yamal is eager to leave his imprint on the World Cup—perhaps too eager, after nearly missing the tournament due to a late-season hamstring injury with Barcelona.
I was afraid it might be serious, and that I might miss the World Cup, Yamal admitted in May.
Any anxiety seemed to linger early on: after coming off the bench in Spain’s opening goalless draw with Cape Verde, he started against Saudi Arabia, scoring before being subbed at halftime in a 4-0 win. Since then, he’s started every game without adding to his goal tally a frustration that’s not gone unnoticed.
I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes feels because he wants to show how important he is for us,” Spain captain Rodri said. Given the maturity he showed at the Euros, you’re not surprised by what he can do now, two years older.
Spain, lacking Yamal’s decisive edge, have missed the attacking spark that made them so formidable at the Euros. Meanwhile, France have rediscovered their cutting edge and now boast the tournament’s most exciting attack.
At 27, Mbappé is the heartbeat of the team and is chasing World Cup immortality. With eight goals in this tournament, he is level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race and just one shy of Messi’s all-time World Cup tally of 21.
After winning the trophy in 2018 and scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final, Mbappé is aiming for a third consecutive final a feat matched only by Brazil’s Cafu from 1994 to 2002. Even legends like Pelé and Maradona played in only two.
Mbappé’s obsession with World Cup glory has sometimes raised eyebrows at club level, especially after injuries sidelined him for part of the season with Real Madrid. But he’s been clear about his priorities:
I know people talk about the stats. I watch TV too. But my only focus is on helping the team and getting us back here on July 19, he said after France’s win over Sweden at MetLife Stadium, site of the final.
I’ve won a World Cup and been a runner-up. This team has done neither, but it has the greatest potential.
Both Yamal and Mbappé are already icons in their home countries and beyond, embodying the vibrant, multicultural spirit of modern Europe. Mbappé’s experience and command of English have made him one of the faces of this tournament in the U.S., while Yamal is quickly catching up especially on the pitch.
In their recent encounters, including club and country clashes, Mbappé has managed just two wins against Yamal, suffering eight defeats in ten meetings.
As the semi-final approaches, all eyes are on these two stars—one established, one emerging—each hoping to shape the future of football.
