.jpg)
19 hours ago
5
When the final whistle blew at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, two bits of history happened simultaneously. First, of course, Spain won its second World Cup. Along with that, Lamine Yamal became one of the five youngest winners in World Cup history.
It's not common for history to be made in an athletic competition that has spanned almost 100 years, yet La Roja's phenom has managed to do so. He's no stranger to breaking records due to his youth, but fans should enjoy it while he's still considered young.
At the next World Cup, Lamine Yamal will be 22 years old, turning 23 during the tournament. Along with that, the 2026 defending champions will play on their home pitches in Spain.
Here's how Lamine Yamal's latest World Cup win stacks up among soccer's youngest-ever winners.
WORLD CUP FINAL HQ: Live Spain vs. Argentina player ratings | Halftime show updates | Messi tracker
Youngest players to win a World Cup
On July 19, 2026, Lamine Yamal became one of the youngest players to ever have the pleasure of lifting a World Cup. Oddly enough, the Spanish youngster tied a Brazilian player to the exact day of age on this list.
Here are the top five youngest players to ever hoist a World Cup.
MORE: Complete highlights of Spain's victory against Argentina
1st: Pele - 17 years and 249 days
At the 1958 World Cup, Pele became the youngest player to win a World Cup at 17 years and 249 days. His Brazilian squad downed host nation Sweden 5-2 in the final, with the youngster scoring a second-half double.
Throughout the tournament, Pele made four appearances and scored six goals. Here is a video outlining his famous outing at the 1958 final.
2nd: Ronaldo (Brazil) - 17 years and 298 days
The second-youngest player to win a World Cup also came from Brazil. Ronaldo, who fans also call Ronaldo Nazario to avoid confusion with Cristiano Ronaldo, was an active member of the champion Brazil. His side defeated Italy 3-2 in a penalty shootout after their match ended scoreless during the 1994 final.
While he was a part of the squad, Ronaldo never made an appearance on the pitch. He was 17 years and 298 days old when his country won the World Cup.
3rd: Giuseppe Bergomi - 18 years and 174 days
Italian defender Giuseppe Bergomi ranks as the third-youngest World Cup winner at 18 years and 174 days old. Gli Azzurri defeated West Germany 3-1 at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
With defenders often not appearing on the scoresheet, Bergomi remained goalless through his three appearances.
T4: Coutinho - 19 years and 6 days
Just four years after fellow Brazilian Pele became the youngest-ever champion at the World Cup, Coutinho made history at 19 years and six days old. At the 1962 competition in Chile, Brazil defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1.
Coutinho also did not make an appearance for Brazil throughout the tournament and was a forward.
T4: Lamine Yamal - 19 years and 6 days
The most recent addition to this list is Lamine Yamal. Spain's youngster matched Coutinho's age to the exact day, being 19 years and six days old at the time of lifting a World Cup trophy. At the 2026 World Cup final in East Rutherford, N.J., Lamine Yamal's La Roja side downed defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
In eight appearances with Spain, Lamine Yamal provided one goal for his country.
How old is Lamine Yamal?
Lamine Yamal is 19 years old, according to Transfermarkt. He was born on July 13, 2007, in Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.
The youngster made his Spanish national team debut on September 7, 2023.
English (US)