Lamine Yamal swaps World Cup glory for surfing lessons with Olympic champion

Barcelona and Spain prodigy Lamine Yamal has moved from lifting the World Cup to learning how to ride the waves, just days after helping his country claim football’s biggest prize at the 2026 tournament.

From world champion to the water

Yamal, one of the brightest young stars in world football, has begun trying his hand at surfing in the aftermath of Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2026.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final of the 2026 World Cup, securing “La Roja” their second world title. The narrow victory added a new star to Spain’s crest and further elevated Yamal’s growing status on the global stage.

After celebrating the historic success with his Spain team-mates and thousands of fans, the Barcelona forward was granted a short break before returning to pre-season training with the Catalan club ahead of the new campaign.

Surfing lessons with Gabriel Medina

Global sports broadcaster ESPN published a video showing Yamal learning to surf, trading football boots for a board and wetsuit on the waves.

In the clip, the teenager is seen being coached by Brazilian Olympic surfing champion Gabriel Medina, one of the most decorated surfers of his generation.

ESPN captioned the footage: “البطل الاولمبي البرازيلي جابرييل ميدينا يمنح النجم الاسباني دروسا في التزلج على الامواج”.

The session appears to have taken place during Yamal’s post-World Cup downtime, with the player using his brief holiday to pick up a new sport before resuming his club commitments.

Star enjoys brief break before Barcelona return

Yamal celebrated the World Cup victory extensively with the Spanish public, taking part in official events and festivities as the team toured with the trophy.

The Barcelona star has since been given a short rest period, allowing him to recover from the exertions of a demanding international tournament that culminated in Spain edging past Argentina in the final.

The time off has provided Yamal with the opportunity not only to relax but also to explore interests away from the pitch, including his introductory experience in surfing under Medina’s guidance.

Focus shifts back to club and country

While the surfing outing has drawn attention on social media, Yamal is expected to rejoin Barcelona training shortly as the club prepares for the forthcoming season.

The forward will look to carry his World Cup momentum into domestic and European competitions, with expectations growing around his role for both Barcelona and Spain.

Spain’s victory over Argentina, sealed by a solitary goal, has reasserted “La Roja” as a major force on the international stage and further highlighted Yamal’s emergence as one of the central figures in a new generation of Spanish talent.

For now, though, the teenager has briefly swapped stadiums for shorelines – before returning to the spotlight in the colours of Barcelona and Spain.