Messi breaks silence on iconic photo with Yamal
It was December 2007. Inside a Barcelona studio, a small plastic bathtub had been prepared and filled with water. A shy 20-year-old footballer was seated in front of it, and a five-month-old baby was placed in his arms.
That young footballer was Lionel Messi, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in football history. The baby in the bathtub was none other than Spain's rising star Lamine Yamal.
Nineteen years later, the two are set to face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina and Spain will meet on Sunday night (1:00 a.m. local time), bringing back memories of that unforgettable photograph.
During a recent media interview, Yamal was shown the now-iconic image of Messi bathing him.
The Spanish youngster smiled and said, "Well, I've grown up a lot—and so has Leo. I hope I'll get the chance to face Messi in the World Cup final, since we couldn't play against each other in the Finalissima."
The 2007 photograph has since become a viral sensation on social media, prompting many to wonder how two players from different generations ended up sharing such a memorable moment.
On Friday (July 17), Messi was asked about the photo during a FIFA event attended by the captains and coaches of Argentina and Spain ahead of the World Cup final. The event was hosted by former England captain Rio Ferdinand and tennis legend Novak Djokovic, with NFL great Tom Brady also taking part.
Brady asked Messi about the photograph in English, but the Argentine star did not understand the question. An interpreter translated it into Spanish.
Smiling, Messi replied, "The truth is, it's a strange photo. That's life. I took that picture when I was very young, and now I'm about to face him in a World Cup final. It's incredible. But he's already one of the best players in the world. He's already won the European Championship with Spain. He's performing at an extraordinary level, and his future is incredibly bright."
Messi continued, "Lamine is an extraordinary talent. I follow him because he plays for a club that means a lot to me. I always wish him the very best. At just 19 years old, he's already among the world's best players, and his entire career still lies ahead of him. He has every opportunity to achieve something historic. But we'll do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen this time. I sincerely wish him all the best."
Messi, who moved from Argentina to Barcelona as a teenager and spent most of his formative years there, said he feels a special affection for Yamal.
"I spent many years in Barcelona, and that's where I came to know him."
Reflecting on the remarkable coincidence that the baby he once held is now his opponent in a World Cup final nearly two decades later, Messi described it as "an unbelievable twist of fate."
When asked about handling the pressure ahead of such a massive match, Messi said, "We just try to play naturally. In football, there are always wins and losses."
Source: The Athletic