Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to claim their first World Cup in 16 years. Lamine Yamal was brilliant. And yet the undisputed scene-stealer of the entire tournament might be a three-year-old who wasn't even on the squad sheet.
Keyne Yamal — Lamine's younger brother — has been a constant presence throughout Spain's run, spotted in the stands with parents and players alike, losing his mind in the best possible way every time his big brother did something on the pitch. Cameras kept finding him. Commentators kept talking about him. By the final, he wasn't just a cute sideshow — he was part of the story.
The moment that summed up the whole tournament
After the final whistle in New Jersey, Keyne ran straight into Lamine's arms, clutching a piece of netting cut from the goal as a souvenir. He got to hold the trophy. He messed around with security cops on the pitch. Standard winner's night stuff, really.
But the clip that's done the rounds since? Nico Williams — Spain's winger, close friend of both brothers — setting up a one-on-one with the toddler and playing goalkeeper. When Keyne swung his foot and the ball trickled past him, Williams went down like he'd been shot. Full theatrical collapse. Keyne then sprinted off on a celebratory lap around the grass, and honestly, the nearby cops looked as entertained as anyone.
Williams didn't have to do any of that. He chose to. That's the kind of thing you remember long after the scoreline fades.
Lamine has never hidden how much his brother means to him. "My little brother means everything to me," he told the BBC earlier this tournament. "I am in love with him; it feels like he is my son." At 19, carrying Spain's attack in a World Cup final, that's a lot of emotional weight to carry gracefully. He managed it.
Keyne is a regular on Yamal's TikTok — dancing, riding around in a miniature toy Mercedes — and his tournament cameos have only added to that. He came to New Jersey as a fan. He's leaving as something closer to a mascot. Spain's squad clearly see it that way too.
