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If your first thought upon seeing the now-viral photo of Lionel Messi bathing Lamine Yamal as a baby is how amazing it is that the two are playing against each other in Sunday’s World Cup final, you’re not alone; Messi shares the sentiment.
“That photo with Lamine, now we face each other in a final after they took a photo of him when he was a baby,” Messi told seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest on Friday. “It’s just crazy.”
The photo was taken by re-lance photographer Joan Monfort during a charity promotional photo shoot almost two decades ago, when Messi was 20 years old and Yamal was a baby. Almost 20 years later, the two will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Messi’s Argentina and Yamal’s Spain on Sunday at the New York and New Jersey Stadium.
Messi shares great admiration for Yamal, who plays for FC Barcelona just as Messi did from 2000 to 2021, but hopes he and his teammates can keep the 19-year-old superstar quiet for one night.
“Lamine is really amazing,” Messi said. “I’ve followed him a lot because he plays for a club that I love very much. He has the opportunity to achieve something historic; we’re going to try to make sure that doesn’t happen this time.”
Both Messi and Yamal pursue history. Messi could become the first player to win consecutive world titles as team captain, while Yamal could become the second-youngest player to win a World Cup final as a starter. The only thing standing in your way? Each other.
“We will try to play a good game, but I hope he and his team don’t,” Messi said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will begin at 3 pm ET on FOX and FOX one.
