Argentina captain Lionel Messi has called the viral photo of him bathing baby Lamine Yamal in 2007 “incredible”, praising the Spanish winger ahead of Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
“That photo is incredible,” Messi said Friday.
“I took a picture with him when he was a baby… the fact that we’re both playing in the World Cup now is crazy.”
The viral photo was taken as part of a charity calendar produced at the FC Barcelona stadium by UNICEF and a local newspaper. Yamal, who would go on to become a Barcelona star 16 years later, was paired with the Argentine legend for one of the calendar images.
The journey now comes full circle as 19-year-old Yamal is set to face 39-year-old Messi for the first time at international level.
“He’s one of the best in the world right now,” Messi said at FIFA’s Fanatics Fest in New York.
“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.”
“He’s a tremendous player, a global star,” Messi added.
“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 has recorded eight goals and four assists so far in the tournament and is set to feature in his third World Cup final, having also reached the stage in 2014 and 2022. He is tied with Kylian Mbappe for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot as Argentina attempt to become back-to-back champions.
Spain and Argentina were originally scheduled to meet in the Finalissima ahead of the World Cup, but the match, planned for March in Qatar, was canceled because of the conflict in the Middle East.
