Spain star Lamine Yamal was spotted hanging out with his girlfriend, Ines Garcia, in the streets of New York days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The 19-year-old is expected to lead Spain’s attack when they trade tackles with Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
An Instagram reel posted by 433 showed Yamal stopping for street food alongside his girlfriend in New York. The couple embraced each other as they stood in front of a food van.
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Yamal will become the third-youngest player to play in a FIFA World Cup final (19 years and six days old) when he lines up against Argentina on Sunday. Only Pele (17 years and 249 days) and Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi (18 years and 174 days old) have bettered the record.
Although he has had a poor tournament in terms of goal returns and contributions, managing just one goal in seven outings, the Barcelona star remains an instrumental figure in coach Luis de la Fuente’s setup. Only Lionel Messi (25) has recorded more dribbles than Yamal (22) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yamal, alongside teammate Pau Cubarsi, is also a strong contender for the tournament’s Best Young Player Award.
Lionel Messi opens up on facing Lamine Yamal in final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ahead of their clash in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, Lionel Messi spoke about Lamine Yamal and the viral picture of him bathing the Spaniard as a baby years ago. The Argentina captain lauded Yamal as one of the best players in the game currently and wished him well in the final.
“Well, Lamine is a huge player whom I followed a lot because he plays in a club that I love and I wish him always the best and he is one of the leaders worldwide. With 19 years of age, he has his whole career ahead of him. He has a great opportunity to attain something historical, which we intend to give our maximum. So that’s it, not this time, but I wish him the best,” Messi said (via FOX Sports).
About their viral photo, he said:
“That photo is crazy, because well its life. I had a photo with him when he was a baby, and for us to be facing each other in a World Cup. Like I said before, it’s craziness, but he is one of the best in the world at the moment without a doubt, and I wish him the best of luck because his well-being will be Barcelona’s well-being as well.”
Both Messi and Yamal are products of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. The Spaniard has been tipped by many to lead the club to great achievements, like the Argentine.
Edited by Okenna Okere