Lionel Messi has opened up about his extraordinary connection to Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal ahead of their highly anticipated World Cup showdown.
The Argentina captain, 39, reflected on the viral photographs showing him holding and bathing Lamine as a baby in 2007 – nearly two decades before the pair would prepare to face each other in the 2026 World Cup final.
Appearing at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday, July 17 2026, Lionel was asked about the now-iconic images by NFL legend Tom Brady.
“You guys took this iconic photo, when he was a baby,” Tom began. “To be going up against one another in his first World Cup Final and potentially, hopefully not, your last, is very prophetic. What does that picture mean to you?”
Lionel praised the 19-year-old Barcelona winger as a “huge player”, revealing he has closely followed the youngster’s remarkable rise.
“I wish him always the best, and the best for him,” Lionel said in Spanish. “And he is one of the leaders worldwide, at 19 years old, he has his whole career ahead of him.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner added that Lamine could “attain something historical” should Spain triumph over defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s final.
“That photo with Lamine is so crazy,” Lionel continued. “Because, that’s life, I had a photo with him when he was a baby, and for us to be facing each other in a World Cup, as I said before, it’s crazy, but he’s one of the best in the world at the moment without a doubt, and I wish him the best of luck because his well-being will be Barcelona’s well-being as well.”
The pair’s first meeting occurred during a charity calendar photoshoot at Barcelona’s Camp Nou in 2007, when Lionel was a 20-year-old rising star and Lamine was still an infant.
© VisionhausLamine’s family had won a UNICEF raffle to be photographed with a Barcelona player, with Associated Press photographer Joan Monfort capturing Lionel alongside the baby and his mother, Sheila Ebana.
The images show a long-haired Lionel helping to bathe Lamine in a small plastic tub alongside a rubber duck. Joan later admitted that the shy young footballer initially appeared unsure about how to hold the baby.
The photographs remained largely forgotten until Lamine’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared one on Instagram in 2024 with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.”
Argentina and Spain will meet in the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19 2026 with Lionel attempting to lead his country to a second consecutive title and Lamine hoping to make history with Spain.
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