In 2007, a charity photoshoot brought together a young Barcelona prospect and a baby whom he gently bathed. Nineteen years later, that player – Argentina's Lionel Messi – is set to face that same child, Spain's Lamine Yamal, in the World Cup final.
The remarkable coincidence has strengthened the connection between the two stars. Both were precocious talents, nurtured at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and transformed into Barça superstars before going on to lead their respective national teams.
"I've grown up a little bit, and Leo has too. Hopefully I'll get the chance to face Lionel Messi in the final, since we couldn't do so in the Finalissima," Lamine Yamal said a few days ago in an interview with broadcaster DAZN, in which he was shown the famous photograph of himself with the legendary number 10.
The young Spanish winger has never hidden his admiration for the Rosario-born forward, whom he has always regarded as a role model.
"In every match he proves he's the greatest of all time. If anyone still has doubts, it's because they're looking for them," Yamal said of Messi during the tournament.
At 39, ‘La Pulga’ continues to defy logic. Having won every major trophy, including the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, he could easily have been enjoying a well-earned rest. Instead, he finds himself on the verge of playing in his second consecutive World Cup final.
Still the leader
Messi’s contribution goes far beyond that of a symbolic figure or experienced veteran offering guidance. He remains what he has always been: a player apart, capable of producing moments of genius to solve seemingly impossible situations.
At his sixth World Cup, the Argentina captain has inspired his team with outstanding numbers. His eight goals and four assists have taken him to the top of the race for the tournament's Golden Boot. He is level on goals with France's Kylian Mbappé but ahead thanks to having provided one more assist.
To his talent he adds an unparalleled competitive hunger. The semi-final against England was a perfect example, as he supplied both assists in Argentina's late 2-1 comeback win.
Yamal, who inherited the number 10 shirt that Messi once wore at Barcelona, has not enjoyed such a dazzling tournament. He has scored just once – in the group stage against Saudi Arabia – and has yet to register an assist at his first World Cup.
Heir to the throne
But the Barcelona winger, who arrived at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico only just fit enough after suffering an injury during the closing stages of the Spanish La Liga season, has steadily improved as the tournament has progressed.
Although he has not shone individually as he did during Spain's victorious Euro 2024 campaign, he has made a major contribution to the outstanding team performances that enabled La Roja to overcome formidable opponents such as Portugal, Belgium and France on their way to the final in East Rutherford, just outside New York.
One of his surging runs against France, beaten 2-0 on Tuesday in Dallas, won the penalty that led to Spain's opening goal after left-back Lucas Digne clumsily brought him down.
Argentina have been warned. They would be wise not to underestimate a player who is always capable of causing problems – a lightning-fast dribbler blessed with outstanding vision and an unrelenting winning mentality.
In what will almost certainly be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will face Spain, the country where he grew into the footballer he became, with the chance to add another chapter to his legend.
Waiting for him on the opposite flank will be Yamal – the little boy he bathed 19 years ago, who now dreams of following in his footsteps.
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by Gerard Martínez, AFP
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