Facing Yamal in the Final After Baby Photo is ‘crazy’ — Football Star, Messi

Lionel Messi has described it as “crazy” that he will face Spain’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, years after a now-iconic photograph showed him cradling the future football star as a baby.

Speaking at the Fan Fanatics event on Friday ahead of the showpiece in the United States, the Argentina captain reflected on the remarkable image, admitting it was difficult to believe how fate had brought them together on football’s biggest stage.

“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 was quoted by ESPN as saying.

While expecting a thrilling encounter between two of the world’s strongest footballing nations, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner joked that he hoped Yamal would not enjoy one of his best performances.

“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 with a smile.

The Argentine legend was full of praise for the Barcelona youngster, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of football’s brightest stars despite his age.

“He’s one of the best players in the world right now. I wish him luck because his success will also be Barcelona’s success, but we’ll try to stop him from playing at his best. Spain is a great team, not just Lamine. We have our own strengths too,” he added.

Messi also predicted a bright future for the teenager, describing him as a global star with many successful years still ahead.

“He’s a tremendous player. A global star. He’s only 19 and has his whole career ahead of him. I wish him all the best, but we’ll give everything to make sure he doesn’t become champion this time.”

The famous photograph was taken by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort during a charity calendar project organised by a Spanish newspaper in partnership with UNICEF at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. At the time, Yamal was just a baby, while Messi was already establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest players.

Years later, Yamal has emerged from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy to become one of world football’s most exciting talents, setting up an extraordinary World Cup final meeting with the man who unknowingly featured in one of the defining images of his childhood.

Monfort said interest in the photograph had surged again in the build-up to 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 heads into the final in outstanding form, having scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina reached their third World Cup final during his illustrious career, following appearances in 2014 and 2022.

The 39-year-old is also level with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot as Argentina chase a second consecutive World Cup title.

The showdown with Spain will also serve as the first competitive meeting between the reigning European champions and the Copa América holders after their scheduled Finalissima, originally planned for March in Qatar, was cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Now, instead of meeting in a ceremonial champions’ clash, Messi and Yamal will battle for football’s greatest prize, adding another remarkable chapter to a story that began with a simple photograph nearly two decades ago.