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Fabio Capello: 'Lamine Yamal is the face of a new generation
Teams 20 July 2026

Fabio Capello: 'Lamine Yamal is the face of a new generation

Fabio Capello, former coach of Russia and AC Milan, among others, looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The Italian appreciates the talent of the young Lamine Yamal and nuances the eternal debate between Messi and Maradona. According to Capello, new football greats emerge every generation, and Yamal clearly belongs to that category.

Fabio Capello: 'Lamine Yamal is the face of a new generation

According to Championat.

Background

Лионель Месси, one of the greatest footballers in history, is set to further expand his legend at the 2026 World Cup. His performances are often compared to those of Диего Марадона, increasing the pressure on him. At the same time, Ламин Ямал is a promising talent who is attracting attention, indicating that the future of football is also in good hands.

Why this matters

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is not only a battle for the world title, but also a stage for the discussion about the greatest footballer of all time. Fabio Capello's comments on Лионель Месси and Диего Марадона highlight the lasting impact of these players on football. Moreover, the emergence of young talent such as Ламин Ямал sheds new light on the future of the game.

Key points

  • Fabio Capello: 'Lamine Yamal is the face of a new generation.
  • Fabio Capello, former coach of Russia and AC Milan, among others, looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
  • Капелло: Ямаль — гений, представляющий в этом смысле новое поколение.

In the run-up to the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, there is not only anticipation for the meeting between the two top countries, but also the classic discussions about who is the greatest footballer of all time. One of the prominent voices in this discussion is Fabio Capello, former national coach and football analyst, who sheds light on the phenomenal talent that this World Cup is bringing to the table.

Capello is asked about the recurring debate: if Lionel Messi wins this World Cup, does that automatically mean that he will surpass Diego Maradona as the absolute number one in football? "These comparisons are endlessly tiresome. Every 20 years, another unique player emerges who defines world football - think Pele, Maradona, Messi. Ultimately, they are all geniuses in their own era," Capello said.

The Italian coach also focuses his attention on Lamine Yamal, the Spanish top talent who has made a name for himself on the world stage in record time. Capello points out Yamal's impressive achievements, especially given his young age and the immense expectations he already seems to be able to meet. "Given his age and everything he has already shown, he deserves recognition. But one must be careful with exaggerated conclusions. Yamal represents a completely new generation of footballers in this respect and can rightly be called a genius."

Image

The match between Spain and Argentina is full of symbolism: Spain with a new crop of talents like Yamal against an Argentina that still relies on Messi's class. The world will see how the legacy of greats such as Maradona and Messi compares to the rising stars of modern football.

With Capello's words in mind, it remainsIt is striking how quickly Lamine Yamal is mentioned in the list of future Ballon d'Or candidates. Yet the expert warns against premature analyses: only in the coming years will it become clear whether Yamal can actually live up to expectations and lead his generation to new international success.

In any case, the 2026 World Cup final offers the stage where old legends and new hopes come together. Whether Messi can definitively draw comparisons with Maradona after this match will not only depend on the price, but especially on the way in which a new generation, with Yamal as figurehead, manifests itself.

What's happening now

With the finals approaching, the world will be watching closely the performances of both Месси and Ямал. If Месси wins, it could further cement his status in the greatest of all time discussion. Meanwhile, Ямал, representing a new generation, is expected to leave his mark on the tournament, which will only increase expectations for future World Cups, such as World Cup 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fabio Capello say about Lamine Yamal?

Fabio Capello calls Lamine Yamal a phenomenon and a representative of a new generation of footballers, who are already delivering impressive performances at a young age.

Who confirms the discussion about Messi and Maradona?

Fabio Capello, former national coach and football analyst, confirms the discussion about the comparison between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Why is this discussion about Messi and Maradona relevant now?

The discussion is relevant in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, where Messi has the chance to confirm his status.

What changes are there in current football according to Capello?

Capello points to the arrival of new talents such as Yamal, who represent a new generation of footballers, while Messi embodies Argentina's established class.

What does the match between Spain and Argentina mean?

The match symbolizes the battle between a new crop of talents in Spain, such as Yamal, and the experienced class of Messi in Argentina.

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