Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal clash in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as Argentina seek to retain their title with Spain – a generational tale that defies all logic
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal clash in World Cup final
It is not enough to draw a perfect circle. Even if you don’t believe in destiny, you probably do now. Nineteen years ago, inside Barcelona’s Camp Nou away locker room, the first brick was laid on the long and winding road to the 2026 World Cup final.
Lamine Yamal’s parents, Equatorial Guinea-born mother Sheila Evana and Moroccan-born father Mounir Nasraoui, optimistically entered the lottery published in the Catalan newspaper Sport.
What about the prize? A photo shoot with a mysterious player from Barça’s first team. Not only was Yamal the lucky winner, he was also paired up with future great Messi, who cradled and bathed the five-month-old superstar.
Snapper Joan Monfort’s famous shot is so surreal it could be mistaken for artificial intelligence.
Twenty years after being blessed with the GOAT, Yamal will clash with his longtime idol for World Cup glory in New Jersey. This is a screenplay that even the greatest fantasists would have struggled to write.
Messi was just 19 years old when this remarkable photo was taken. He scored 11 goals in his career and had already won both La Liga and the Champions League.
That was impressive, but Yamal, who coincidentally turned 19 on Monday, blew that record away by comparison.
The Spanish international has scored 56 goals, won La Liga three times and led his country to European Championship dominance in 2024.
Now he has the opportunity to be on an equal footing with Messi when it comes to World Cup titles. It would cement his place as the heir to the 39-year-old icon’s throne and mark the passing of the baton.
But don’t discount the veteran’s ability to add to his impressive legacy. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in this World Cup alone, single-handedly bringing Argentina to the brink of retaining the trophy.
Famous photo of Lionel Messi giving 5-month-old baby Lamine Yamal a bath (Image: AP)
Before his side’s dramatic win against England in midweek, manager Thomas Tuchel described the charming forward as a silent killer.
This description was apt, as Messi walked 47 percent of his total distance in this tournament.
His average mileage was 8.2 km per 90 minutes, the lowest of any outfield teammate who played more than 20 minutes at this World Cup.
Messi takes fewer touches inside the opposition box (43) than Yamal (51), underscoring his predatory instincts in the final third.
Both players have played in seven games and started six at this World Cup, but Yamal has only scored one goal against Saudi Arabia and is yet to register an assist.
Meanwhile, the inspired Argentina captain is involved in a goal every 51 minutes on average and outshines his substitutes.
Despite these statistics, Spain’s victory would push Yamal’s profile to a whole new stratosphere. Messi’s stature speaks for itself, but in contrast, La Roja’s fresh-faced teenager has relished the chance to enjoy life outside of the match at this World Cup.
Lionel Messi aims to win consecutive World Cups with Argentina (Image: Getty Images)
He was spotted shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethorpe on the outskirts of Spain’s Chattanooga training base earlier in the tournament, while also strolling to a food stall in smoggy New York after a semi-final scull that beat France 2-0 in Dallas.
Yamal does not like to be in the spotlight, but even if he wins the World Cup final, the reality is that his life will never be the same again.
Messi will be trying to finish the game in style in what could be his final dance and final performance as an Argentina international.
“Lamine is a great player. I follow him a lot because he plays for my favorite club,” he said humbly. “I always wish him the best. There is no doubt that he is one of the best players in the world. We will try to play a great game, but I hope he and his team do not have the best day.”
Even Messi admitted that their unlikely reunion defied logic, saying: “There’s something crazy about that photo with Lamine. Life is full of surprises! He took a picture of us when we were babies and now we’re playing against each other in the final. It’s just insane!”
Now Yamal has the chance to steal Messi’s thunder. Some may feel that the script has already been written. If you blink expecting the unexpected, you will miss it.
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