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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Yamal could meet Messi next year </li><li>Spain and Argentina won Euros and Copa titles on Sunday</li><li>Barca wonderkid met his idol years ago as a toddler</li></ul>

Why Lionel Messi & Lamine Yamal are on a collision course after Copa America and Euro 2024 triumphs - explained

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

<p>Lamine Yamal's breakthrough season as a senior professional ended on a golden note as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/rodri-ballon-d-or-scoops-euro-2024-player-of-the-tournament-lamine-yamal-recognised-final-triumph-england/blt24c1a3c4a0126a93" target="_blank">played a key role in Spain lifting their record fourth European Championship trophy</a> by beating England 2-1 in the final on Sunday. On the same night, former Barcelona star <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/one-more-record-breaking-lionel-messi-celebrates-trophy-win-no-45-wife-antonela-three-sons-join-argentina-copa-america-celebrations/blt200b8b09f6457b50" target="_blank">Lionel Messi won his fourth international trophy</a> and second consecutive Copa America title as Argentina edged out Colombia 1-0 in a cagey final.   </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>With La Roja and La Albiceleste winning their respective continental titles, the two teams are now all set to meet each other in the Finalissima 2025 - a one-off game competed between the champions of Europe and South America. This will be the first time that Yamal will come face-to-face with his Blaugrana idol on the pitch. While the final date for the Finalissima clash is yet to be announced, it is likely to be held during June or July next year.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏆 Argentina vs Spain will be the Finalissima 2024!<br><br>Lionel Messi will meet Lamine Yamal… again. <a href="https://t.co/fSQFrkcHd6">pic.twitter.com/fSQFrkcHd6</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1812701745962750257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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THE EXPLANATION

<p>The Barcelona wonderkid did rub shoulders with the Argentina skipper as a toddler 17 years back as the player's father recently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/amazing-photos-lionel-messi-barcelona-spain-lamine-yamal-baby-emerge-charity/blt383ac35b93e70bed#csb8af70b3b45ad061" target="_blank">shared throwback photos from 2007</a> where Messi can be seen bathing a young Yamal.  </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The 17-year-old is likely to take a well-earned vacation before he joins his club for pre-season. Messi, on the other hand, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">suffered an ankle injury</a> during the Copa America final and will undergo a recovery process before getting back to action for Inter Miami. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

Why Lionel Messi & Lamine Yamal are on a collision course after Copa America and Euro 2024 triumphs - explained | Goal.com

Lamine Yamal could finally come face to face against his idol Lionel Messi after Spain and Argentina won Euros and Copa America titles.