Argentina’s talisman, Lionel Messi, has described it as “crazy” that he will face Spain’s young star, Lamine Yamal, in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, years after a photograph showed him holding the future football sensation as a baby.
Messi spoke at a press conference on Friday ahead of the final, reflecting on the iconic photograph, and said it was incredible how life had brought them together on football’s grandest platform.
“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.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner predicted an intriguing encounter but hoped Yamal would have little influence on the outcome.
“We’ll try to put on a good match, but I hope he and his team don’t put on a good one,” he added.
Messi also praised Yamal’s swift ascent, labeling the Barcelona kid as one of the world’s best players, despite his youth.
He said, “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. Spain has a great team, not just him. We have our own weapons, too.”
The Argentina captain also praised the 19-year-old, saying his future in football remained exceptionally bright.
“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,” Messi said.
Joan Monfort, a Spanish photographer, took the famous shot as part of a charity calendar arranged by Sport Newspaper and UNICEF at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
Yamal will later emerge from Barcelona’s academy to become one of the world’s most promising players, setting up a World Cup final against Messi.
Monfort said the photograph had rekindled global interest ahead of Sunday’s 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,” Monfort told The Associated Press.
Messi enters the final in top form, having scored eight goals and contributed four assists to help Argentina reach its third World Cup final, following appearances in 2014 and 2022.
The 39-year-old is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the battle for the tournament’s Golden Boot as Argentina seeks to win back-to-back global titles.
Sunday’s match comes after a planned Finalissima between European champions Spain and Copa América winners Argentina was called off earlier this year.
The match, initially scheduled for March in Qatar, was canceled due to the Middle East crisis, making the World Cup final the two continental champions’ first competitive meeting.
