Messi and Yamal Poised for FIFA World Cup Showdown

Lamine Yamal was only five months old when he encountered Lionel Messi for the first time. This meeting took place due to a partnership between the Barcelona Foundation and Diario Sport, for a charity calendar benefiting UNICEF. In December 2007, a young Messi, then 20 years old, was photographed by Joan Monfort as he bathed baby Yamal, alongside Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana. Today, Messi is 39 and has solidified his status as a football legend, while Yamal, now 19, follows in Messi’s footsteps at Barcelona.

This photo has become widely shared now as Messi and Argentina are set to face Yamal and Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The match will occur in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, marking the first time Messi and Yamal will play against each other.

During Fanatics Fest on Friday, July 17, Tom Brady discussed the photo with Messi. Messi expressed admiration for Yamal, describing him as a significant player. “I followed him closely because he plays in a club I love. I always wish him the best,” Messi said. He acknowledged Yamal’s leadership in global football at just 19 and spoke about the young player’s bright future. Messi added, “We will strive to ensure this time it’s not his moment to make history.”

Reflecting on the photo, Messi said, “That photo is crazy because, well, it’s life. Having a picture with him as a baby and now facing each other in a World Cup game is madness. But he is one of the best in the world, undoubtedly, and I wish him well because his success will also mean success for Barcelona.”

This final marks Messi’s third World Cup final appearance. He lost to Germany in 2014 but triumphed over France in 2022. Yamal reached the World Cup final with Spain in his first World Cup. Throughout this tournament, Messi has achieved eight goals and four assists, making him the leading all-time scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals and the leader in assists with 12. Yamal has one goal but remains influential whenever he has the ball.

Argentina aims to be the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil’s victories in 1958 and 1962. Meanwhile, Spain seeks its first men’s World Cup title since 2010.