Yamal is tremendous, facing him after baby photo is crazy – Messi

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has described it as “just crazy” that he will face Spain’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, years after an iconic photograph showed him cradling the future star as a baby.

Speaking at the Fan Fanantics event on Friday ahead of the final, Messi reflected on the widely shared image, saying it was extraordinary how 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, according to ESPN.

While expecting an exciting contest, the Argentina captain admitted he hopes Yamal is unable to make a decisive impact for Spain.

“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 praised the Barcelona youngster for his remarkable development, describing him as one of the finest players in world football 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.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner further predicted an outstanding future for the Spanish forward while making it clear Argentina’s focus remains on lifting the trophy.

“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 image linking the two players was captured by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort during a charity calendar project organised by Sport newspaper and UNICEF at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Years later, Yamal progressed through Barcelona’s famed academy to establish himself as one of football’s brightest young talents, setting the stage for a memorable World Cup final against the man who unknowingly posed with him as an infant.

Monfort said the photograph has attracted enormous international attention 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 enters the final in superb form, scoring eight goals and contributing four assists as Argentina reached the third World Cup final of his illustrious career, following appearances in 2014 and 2022.

The 39-year-old is tied with France captain Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot as Argentina bid to retain the World Cup title.

Sunday’s encounter also serves as the first competitive meeting between the reigning European champions and Copa América holders after the planned Finalissima was cancelled earlier this year.

The fixture, originally scheduled for March in Qatar, was abandoned because of the conflict in the Middle East, leaving the World Cup final as the long-awaited showdown between the continental champions.

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