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 famous photograph showed him holding the youngster as a baby.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Messi reflected on the image, saying it was remarkable that fate had brought them 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.
Despite praising Yamal’s talent, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he hopes the Barcelona star does not have a decisive impact on the final.
“We’ll try to put on a good match, but I hope he and his team don’t put on a good one,” Messi added.
The Argentina captain hailed the 19-year-old as one of the best players in the world and backed him to enjoy a successful career.
“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,” he said.
Messi also described Yamal as a global star with a bright future.
“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,” he said.
The iconic photograph was taken by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort during a UNICEF charity calendar shoot at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, long before Yamal emerged from the club’s famed La Masia academy to become one of football’s brightest young talents.
Monfort said interest in the image had surged ahead of the World Cup 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,” he told The Associated Press.
Messi goes into the final in impressive form, having scored eight goals and provided four assists to guide Argentina to a third World Cup final of his career after appearances in 2014 and 2022.
The 39-year-old is also tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot as Argentina bid to retain the World Cup title.
The final also comes after the planned Finalissima between European champions Spain and Copa América holders Argentina was cancelled earlier this year due to conflict in the Middle East, making Sunday’s encounter the first competitive meeting between the two continental champions.