The upcoming FIFA World Cup could mark a symbolic passing of the torch in global soccer. For more than a decade, the tournament has been defined by the presence and brilliance of Lionel Messi.

Now, as the Argentine legend approaches the final chapters of his career, the spotlight may soon belong to Lamine Yamal.Messi remains one of the sport's most productive players even at an age when most superstars have long since stepped away from the game. The Inter Miami forward turns 39 this summer but continues to produce remarkable numbers.

Last season he scored 43 goals for the MLS club and has already started the current campaign with two goals in his first two appearances. Still, the context around Messi's next World Cup appearance will be very different from the triumphant run he led four years earlier with the Argentina national football team. The defending World Cup champions remains dangerous, but the roster entering this tournament may not carry the same level of favoritism it once did.

A new soccer star is emerging at the World Cup

Meanwhile, a new star is emerging on the global stage. Yamal, the teenage phenomenon from FC Barcelona, has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in world soccer. The winger emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and was widely viewed as the player tasked with helping fill the enormous void left behind by Messi when he departed the club.

His rise has been remarkably fast. Yamal made his La Liga debut just four months after the World Cup in Qatar, a tournament that arrived slightly too early for him to be part of the global stage. Since then, however, his progress has been impossible to ignore.

Yamal played a major role in Spain's victory at UEFA Euro 2024, scoring what many considered the goal of the tournament while also finishing as the competition's top assist provider. The performance elevated his status from promising youngster to one of the faces of the sport's next generation.

Yamal will arrive at the World Cup in great shape

His club form this season has only strengthened that reputation. Yamal has already surpassed his previous scoring totals with Barcelona, recording 19 goals in all competitions through just 36 matches. A year earlier he needed 55 games to score 18.

The improvement in his finishing has added a new dimension to his game. Long recognized as a creative playmaker, Yamal has developed into a reliable scorer while continuing to provide assists for teammates. He has contributed 14 assists this season, giving him 33 combined goal involvements.

His production has also placed him ahead of several high-profile teammates on Barcelona's scoring chart. Yamal leads the club with 19 goals, ahead of players such as Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. One of the most striking statistical comparisons comes from Barcelona's history. With 29 combined goals before turning 19, Yamal has already surpassed the total recorded by club legend Raúl González at the same age during the 1995-96 season.