ARGENTINA captain 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 photograph captured him holding the future football star as a baby.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Messi made the remarks on Friday during the Fan Fanantics event ahead of the final, reflecting on the iconic image and the remarkable twist of fate that has brought both players 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 said, according to ESPN.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he was expecting an entertaining encounter but admitted he hoped the Spanish youngster and his teammates would not have a decisive impact 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 acknowledged Yamal’s meteoric rise in world football, describing the Barcelona prodigy as one of the best players in the world despite his young age.
“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,” Messi said.
The Argentina captain further praised the 19-year-old, insisting that his future in football remains 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.
The famous photograph was taken by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort as part of a charity calendar organised by Sport newspaper and UNICEF at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
Years later, fate would see Yamal rise through Barcelona’s academy ranks to become one of world football’s brightest talents before setting up a World Cup final showdown with Messi.
Monfort said the image had attracted renewed attention across the world in the build-up to 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 heads into the final in outstanding form, having scored eight goals and provided four assists to help Argentina reach the third World Cup final of his career after previous appearances in 2014 and 2022.
The 39-year-old is level with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot as Argentina bid to become back-to-back world champions.
Sunday’s encounter also comes after the planned Finalissima between European champions Spain and Copa América holders Argentina was cancelled earlier this year.
The match, originally scheduled for March in Qatar, was called off because of the conflict in the Middle East, leaving the World Cup final as the first competitive meeting between the two continental champions.