Barcelona president Joan Laporta described both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal as proud products of the club's La Masia academy ahead of their face-off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. "Messi...also reached the final, and I'm delighted...He's the pride of La Masia...Messi represents the past and the present, whilst Lamine represents the present and the future," he said.