Messi meets the baby he once held, now a World Cup rival
Lionel Messi called it “crazy” to face Spain’s Lamine Yamal in Sunday’s World Cup final, 18 years after cradling the then five-month-old in a charity photoshoot at Barcelona. The 2007 image resurfaced after Messi appeared at a Fifa event in New York on Friday night alongside former NFL legend and Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady.
From Barcelona crib to World Cup final
Yamal’s parents won the charity shoot in 2007, when a 20-year-old Messi held their baby. Yamal made his Barcelona debut at 15 and later inherited the number 10 shirt from Messi at the club.
He helped Spain win Euro 2024 and, now aged 19, could become the youngest player to win both the European Championship and the World Cup if Argentina fall to Spain. Speaking to Messi during a news conference in New York, Brady called the photos “very prophetic”.
Messi said: “That photo is incredible. The fact that we’re both playing in the World Cup now is crazy.”
Messi’s warning to a generational rival
The 39-year-old Argentina captain praised Yamal without softening his competitive edge. “He’s one of the best in the world right now,” Messi said.
“I wish him luck because his success will be Barcelona’s success. We’ll try to keep him from playing at his best. Spain has a great team, not just him,” Messi added, before describing Yamal as a tremendous player and a global star with his whole career ahead of him.
For the 19-year-old, Messi offered a blunt closing line: “I wish him the best, but we’ll give it our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time.”
Coaches and celebrities share the stage
Messi attended the fans’ event on Friday with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Spain captain Rodri. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand and actor Kevin Hart hosted the news conference, while tennis legend Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant joined Brady in asking questions.
Djokovic put a question to Rodri during the session. After the news conference, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hugged Spain counterpart Luis de la Fuente, who was one of the instructors when Scaloni gained his Uefa Pro coaching licence in Spain.
Fanatics founder Michael Rubin and rapper Travis Scott also came on stage for a group selfie after the session. Coaches Scaloni and De la Fuente renewed acquaintances from the Spaniard’s coaching course.
Brady and Paul clash on stage
Brady continued his ongoing feud with Logan Paul as they argued on stage before the record seven-time Super Bowl winner slapped the YouTuber turned WWE star. New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns split them up.