Lionel Messi addresses his iconic picture with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal – “Honestly, that photo is crazy…”

Open menu

OneFootball's home page

Settings

Barca News Network

18 July 2026

Few players in the history of FC

Barcelona

have achieved the kind of success that

Lionel Messi

has managed to claim. The Argentinian icon, formerly a hero for the Catalan club as well, continues to be a superstar of the sport even today at the age of 39 as he is set to play his third

FIFA

World Cup

final.

However, his dream will be thwarted by none other than a Barça-led Spanish National team full of players from the club of his life. Leading the charge will be none other than 19-year-old

Lamine Yamal

, who has a rather surreal history with the

legend.

A crazy part of that history is a now-iconic picture that was taken when Messi was just around 20 years old and Yamal was not even a year old. Pictured bathing the child as part of a UNICEF campaign, it has now understandably gone even more viral than before ahead of the

final clash between the two superstars.

Ahead of the final itself, Messi was asked about the picture by NFL icon Tom Brady with the footage being shared and translated by

DAZN

. During the conversation, Messi responded to Brady’s question about what the picture meant to him with a lot of praise for Yamal initially:

“Well, Lamine is a fantastic player whom I followed a lot because he plays for a club that I love and always wish the best for and well, he’s one of the world’s leading figures at just 19 years old. He has his whole career ahead of him, and he has a great opportunity to achieve something historic that we will try our best to make sure does not happen this time and that’s all, I just want to wish him the best.”

He then directly addressed the picture itself and how absurd the whole thing is in retrospect. Moreover, Messi also highlighted Yamal’s importance to both the sport and to

Barça

as well:

“Honestly, that photo is crazy because, in my life, I took a picture with him when he was a baby and today we are facing each other in a World Cup. The truth is what I’m saying is crazy, but that’s it. He is one the best players in the world right now, without a doubt, and I wish him the best of luck because what is good for him will also be good for Barcelona.”

Finally, he concluded his statement by suggesting that Argentina will try to neutralise both Yamal and his Spanish teammates, making sure to give them their flowers as well:

“Well, we will try our best to play a good game so that he does not have his best version, although it is difficult. We will try for both him and Spain, which is not only about Lamine. They have great players who play well and we have our weapons too.”

For

fans all around the globe, this clash of giants between Argentina and Spain is the dream final that they could have hoped for. One way or another, they get to see either their biggest legend or the face of the club today lift football’s iconic trophy. Interestingly, even other players from the club

recently praised Messi

and the mutual respect between these players is genuinely amazing to see.

–

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Lionel Messi reacts to iconic Lamine Yamal photo before World Cup final: ‘It’s crazy…’

Barca Universal

Nearly 20 years on from Messi bathing Yamal, to a World Cup final

Radio Gol

The remarkable photos of Lionel Messi and baby Lamine Yamal as pair prepare to clash in World Cup final

The Independent

Barcelona icon hails Messi, backs Lamine Yamal to shine at World Cup final: ‘He enjoys pressure’

'A global star': Lionel Messi delivers Lamine Yamal verdict ahead of World Cup final

Evening Standard

Predicting which clubs the summer's biggest free agents will sign for

There are still some massive names who are set to become free agents in the summer, with some high-profile deals due to expire at the end of next month.As speculation...

Tottenham: Why James Maddison was not awarded a penalty against Leeds as Premier League issue statement

Spurs midfielder denied a big moment on his return from injuryThe Premier League has explained why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty in their draw against Leeds.As the clock ticked...

Bento's howler delays CR7's first title in Saudi Arabia 😱

An ugly mistake by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento prevented Al-Nassr from winning the Saudi League title this Tuesday.Cristiano Ronaldo’s team was leading 1-0 until the 53rd minute of the second half,...