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Messi reflects on ‘crazy baby photo’ with Lamine Yamal ahead of World Cup final
18th July, 2026 07:04 AM
Lionel Messi has spoken about the extraordinary twist of fate that will see him line up against Lamine Yamal in the 2026 World Cup final, nearly 20 years after appearing in a memorable photograph with the Spaniard as an infant.
The iconic image, captured during a charity calendar event in Barcelona in 2007, showed a young Messi helping bathe five-month-old Yamal. On Sunday, July 19, 2026, the two will compete against each other for the first time in an official match, with football’s biggest prize at stake.
Addressing reporters in New York on Friday, July 17, 2026, Argentina’s captain described the moment as surreal.
Reflecting on ‘crazy photo’
“Honestly, that photo of us is crazy, because, well, that’s life, right? I was in that photo with him as a baby, and here we both are, playing in a World Cup final,” Messi said.
At the time the photograph was taken, Messi was just 20 years old and beginning to establish himself at Barcelona. Now aged 39, he is preparing to face 19-year-old Yamal, who has developed into one of the Spanish club’s most exciting talents.
Messi praised the teenager’s rapid rise and acknowledged his exceptional ability.
“Lamine is a huge talent, someone I’ve followed a lot because he plays for a club I love, and I always wish him the best, I always want the best for him,” Messi said.
“He’s already a top player at 19 years of age, and he has his whole career ahead of him. He has a great opportunity to achieve something historic, which we’ll try our hardest to make sure doesn’t happen this time. I just want to wish him the best.”
Respect for Yamal
The Argentine legend emphasised that his respect for Yamal goes beyond their upcoming showdown, describing the Spain international as one of football’s elite performers.
“It’s crazy. He’s one of the best in the world right now, no doubt about it,” he said. “And I wish him a lot of luck, because what’s good for him will also be good for Barcelona.”
The photograph first gained widespread attention in 2024 after Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it during the UEFA European Championship, where Spain eventually defeated England to lift the trophy.
