Yamal awaits Messi's 'blessing' to win the World Cup.

Lamine Yamal has decided to wear the number 19 shirt for the Spanish national team, instead of the recently predicted number 10. The 18-year-old has chosen to follow in the footsteps of his idol Messi in his first World Cup appearance.

Yamal wasn't in a hurry to wear the number 10 shirt; he preferred number 19, like Messi did in his first World Cup.

Yamal, along with the Spanish national team, won EURO 2024, setting numerous records including contributing 4 assists (the most), being included in the Team of the Tournament, being named the best young player, and scoring the most beautiful goal of the tournament.

All these achievements then became globally famous, especially when a photo of Messi (at the age of 20) bathing a 6-month-old boy named Lamine Yamal was widely publicized. Fans likened this moment to Messi "passing on the torch" and "bestowing blessings" upon the future football prodigy, and it all came true.

Yamal decided to wear the number 19 jersey for the Spanish national team, instead of number 10 like Messi.

Photo: Reuters

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, his first ever appearance, and following his EURO 2024 victory and three La Liga titles with Barcelona, ​​it's believed Yamal has enough confidence to claim the prestigious number 10 jersey for the Spanish national team. This would also officially follow in the footsteps of his idol Messi, who has always worn the number 10 for Argentina.

However, Yamal wasn't in a hurry to wear the number 10 shirt; he decided to stick with the number 19, the same number he wore at EURO 2024. This also follows in the footsteps of Messi, the legendary player who also began his first World Cup campaign in 2006 in Germany wearing the number 19 shirt for the Argentine national team.

"This could be a very significant milestone, separated by exactly 20 years. Yamal began his career pursuing his dream of winning the World Cup, while his idol, the legendary Messi, was in his sixth and final World Cup appearance."

Some jerseys start the same (19), and may be followed by the number 10 jersey of the most outstanding players from the famous La Masia academy of FC Barcelona on the world football stage," Spanish press expressed.

When will Yamal return to competition?

Yamal is currently recovering from injury. Following the decision to choose the number 19 jersey, the number 10 shirt for the Spanish national team was given to Dani Olmo, also a product of La Masia and Barcelona.

Yamal signed autographs for Spanish fans at the Las Rozas training center after a recent training session.

Photo: Reuters

According to coach Luis de la Fuente, Yamal is showing significant improvement in his injury treatment. If he continues his rapid recovery and trains with the team in the coming days, he will be fit and able to play in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 15th.

At the 2026 World Cup, the Spanish national team is in Group H along with Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. They will play their opening match against Cape Verde (at 11 PM on June 15th), followed by a match against Saudi Arabia at 11 PM on June 21st (both at the Mercedes-Benz Arena), and their final group stage match against South American powerhouse Uruguay at 7 AM on June 27th at the Estadio Akron in Mexico.

"La Roja" will also have two friendly matches to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, including against Iraq on June 5th in A Coruna (Spain) and against Peru on June 9th in Puebla, Mexico. After that, they will head to their training camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA), to prepare for their opening match against Cape Verde at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/yamal-cho-phuoc-lanh-tu-messi-de-vo-dich-world-cup-185260603092214451.htm