Argentina captain Lionel Messi has described it as “crazy” that he is set to face Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, nearly two decades after the pair were photographed together when Yamal was a baby. The now-famous image was taken in 2007 after Yamal’s parents won a Barcelona charity raffle, with a 20-year-old Messi holding the then five-month-old in the Camp Nou dressing room. Speaking at a FIFA fan event in New York, Messi said: “That photo is incredible. The fact that we’re both playing in the World Cup now is crazy.” “Honestly, that photo of us is crazy,” he said. “I took a photo with him as a baby, and here we both are, facing each other in a World Cup, That’s life” The 39-year-old also praised the Spanish teenager, describing him as “one of the best in the world right now.” “He’s a tremendous player and a global star. He’s only 19 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,” Messi said. Yamal, who inherited Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt from Messi, helped Spain win Euro 2024 and is aiming to become the youngest player to win both the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be played on Sunday. (Newswire) “He is one of the World’s leading stars” Lionel Messi was asked by Tom Brady what THAT Lamine Yamal bathtub photo means to him. pic.twitter.com/egABE5NHn6 — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 18, 2026
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