Will the Torch Pass to Lamine Yamal as Messi and Ronaldo Bow Out? | OneFootball

For nearly two decades, international tournaments have revolved around Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, the narrative is changing. Ronaldo has admitted it will be his last appearance on the global stage, while Messi has spoken about weighing up his physical condition before committing to one final shot with Argentina.

Into this shifting landscape steps Lamine Yamal, Spain's teenage phenomenon, widely tipped as the next great superstar.

Messi and Ronaldo's Last Dance

Messi arrives as a reigning champion with Argentina after that epic triumph in Qatar 2022. Now starring for Inter Miami, he's still producing elite numbers, including an MLS Golden Boot. Still, at 39, by the time the tournament rolls around, he has admitted he must feel physically "good" enough to justify going.

Ronaldo, meanwhile. Has already set his stall out: the 2026 World Cup will be his final major tournament. The Portuguese legend has renewed his contract with Al-Nassr and continues to score at a remarkable rate, with the 1,000-goal mark in reach. But even for a physical outlier like Ronaldo, time is undefeated.

Yamal's Meteoric Rise

While one era fades, another is exploding into life. Lamine Yamal broke through at Barcelona aged just 15 years and 9 months, becoming the club's youngest league debutant this century. By 18, he had already amassed well over 100 senior appearances for club and country, with goals, assists, and silverware to match.

On the international stage, Yamal's arrival has been even more spectacular. At Euro 2024, he became the youngest player in the competition's history when he featured against Croatia, then the youngest goalscorer with his outrageous long-range strike against France in the semis. He finished the tournament as Young Player of the Tournament and helped Spain lift the trophy, before later adding the Golden Boy and Kopa trophies to his collection.

Spain Momentum and the Weight of Expectation

Spain's Euro 2024 success has reshaped the football hierarchy. This is not a fading power propped up by one prodigy; it's a dynamic, possession-dominant side rebuilt around a new generation featuring Yamal, Nico Williams, and others. Their recent triumph has naturally influenced bookmakers' views of them, with World Cup betting odds suggesting they could win back-to-back major competitions.

That context matters. Yamal isn't carrying a broken team. Instead, he's one of many stars. It's a very different environment from the Messi-for-Argentina or Ronaldo-for-Portugal narratives of the past decade.

Can Yamal Inherit the Torch?

Replacing two all-time greats isn't just about numbers. Messi and Ronaldo became cultural icons. Yamal is already showing signs that he can live in that space. He's widely regarded as the most valuable young player in the world and is constantly compared to Messi for his playing style. At Barcelona, he has embraced the responsibility of big moments; with Spain, he's already delivering on the biggest stages.

But inheriting the torch isn't about being "the next Messi." It's about defining an era on his own terms.

Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up as both a farewell tour and a debut album. Messi and Ronaldo are approaching their final act, while Yamal, by contrast, is at the start of his journey. Will the torch pass to him? Nothing is guaranteed in football, but the signs are certainly promising.