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Argentina captain Lionel Messi says it is “crazy” to face Spain’s Lamine Yamal in Sunday’s World Cup final after being photographed with him as a child.
In 2007, Lamine Yamal’s parents won a charity photoshoot in Barcelona where the 20-year-old Messi held their five-month-old baby.
Speaking with Messi at a press conference in New York, NFL legend Tom Brady called the images “very prophetic.”
Messi said: “The picture is incredible. It’s crazy that we’re both playing in the World Cup.”
Lamine Yamal made his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 and inherited the number 10 shirt from Messi.
He helped Spain win Euro 2024 and, now 19, could become the youngest player to win the European Championship and the World Cup.
“He’s one of the best in the world at the moment,” said Messi, 39.
“I wish him luck because his success will be Barcelona’s success.
“We will try to stop him from being at his best. Spain have a great team, not just him.
“He’s a fantastic player – a world star. He’s 19 and has his whole career ahead of him. I wish him the best, but we’ll give everything to make sure he doesn’t win the championship this time.”
Messi attended a fan event with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Spain captain Rodri on Friday.
After the press conference, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hugged Spain counterpart Luis de la Fuente, who was one of the coaches when Scaloni received his UEFA Pro Coaching License in Spain.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand and actor Kevin Hart hosted the event, while tennis legend Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant joined Brady to ask questions.
Brady continued his ongoing feud with Logan Paul as they argued on stage before slapping the record seven-time Super Bowl-winning YouTuber as a WWE star, with New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns breaking them up.
