Argentina captain Lionel Messi has described his upcoming FIFA World Cup final clash with Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal as a remarkable twist of fate, years after an iconic photograph captured him holding the young player as a baby.
Speaking at the Fan Fanatics event on Friday ahead of Sunday’s final, Messi said it was difficult to believe that he and Yamal would eventually meet on football’s biggest stage after their unexpected encounter at Barcelona’s Camp Nou more than a decade ago.
“That picture with Lamine is incredible. Now we are facing each other in a final after a photo was taken of us when he was a baby, it’s just crazy!” Messi said, according to ESPN.
While praising Yamal’s talent and rapid rise, the Argentina captain admitted he hopes the 19-year-old forward does not produce his best performance when the two nations meet.
“We’ll try to put on a good match, but I hope he and his team don’t put on a good one,” Messi said.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner described Yamal as one of the best players in world football and predicted a bright future for the Barcelona academy graduate.
“He’s one of the best in the world right now. I wish him luck because his success will be Barcelona’s success, but we’ll try to keep him from playing at his best,” Messi added.
“Spain has a great team, not just him. We have our own weapons, too.”
Messi also acknowledged Yamal’s enormous potential, describing him as a global star with many years ahead of him.
“He’s a tremendous player. A global star. He’s 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him. I wish him the best, but we’ll give it our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time,” he said.
The famous photograph connecting the two football stars was taken by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort during a charity calendar project organised by Sport newspaper and UNICEF at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. The image showed a young Messi bathing Yamal, who was only a baby at the time, alongside his family.
Years later, Yamal rose through Barcelona’s renowned youth system to become one of football’s brightest talents, setting up a historic World Cup final meeting with the player who unknowingly appeared in his childhood memories.
Monfort said the photograph has gained worldwide attention ahead of the final.
“The photo has exploded all over the world, and the fact that the final is in the U.S. has given it an extra push. And now this has culminated in the final between Messi and Yamal. It is better than any film script,” he told The Associated Press.
Messi enters the final in outstanding form, having scored eight goals and provided four assists during Argentina’s impressive run to their third World Cup final appearance of his career, following previous finals in 2014 and 2022.
The 39-year-old remains in contention for the tournament’s Golden Boot, level with France captain Kylian Mbappé, as Argentina aim to defend the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022.
Sunday’s final will also mark the first competitive meeting between the reigning European champions Spain and Copa América holders Argentina. The two teams were previously scheduled to meet in the Finalissima, but that fixture was cancelled earlier this year due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Now, the long-awaited showdown between the champions of Europe and South America will take place on football’s grandest stage, with Messi and Yamal set to create one of the most memorable stories in World Cup history.
