Reports suggest the 2026 World Cup may have been Cristiano Ronaldo’s last, while Lionel Messi’s future at the tournament remains uncertain. If their World Cup careers are over, football will lose two of its defining figures on that stage. Yamal could become one of the players who draws a new global audience, though replacing their influence is a vast task.
Wright-Phillips praised Yamal’s performances for Spain, with the report describing the winger as one of the tournament’s most discussed young players. “The way Lamine Yamal plays brings that joy. It makes fans want to watch him because of the excitement,” he said.
The challenge, Wright-Phillips argued, is that opponents now prepare for Yamal rather than being surprised by him. He said teams were more likely to crowd him with two or three defenders, leaving less space to create and making his role harder.
That attention can be a sign of influence, but it also demands adaptation: quicker combinations, clever movement and the ability to keep possession under pressure. Wright-Phillips felt Yamal still handled that test well. “He kept the ball when he had to. So I still think he played quite well and of course has a huge future,” he added.
The comparison with Messi and Ronaldo may bring attention, but it also risks setting an impossible standard. Yamal’s next chapter will be judged on his own terms, beginning with how he carries his Spain form into the coming Barcelona season.