The pictures are everywhere: FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, just 20 years old, cradling a baby who would become Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal and smiling at the infant in a bathtub at a UNICEF charity photo shoot in 2007.
And two days before Messi, now 39, and Yamal, 19, are set to reunite on the pitch at the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium, Tom Brady asked Messi—onstage in front of a throng of phone-wielding fans at Fanatics Fest in New York City—what the pictures meant to him.
“That picture was crazy,” Messi responded, through an interpreter. “I just wish him the best of luck.”
Messi looked mystified, and a bit uncomfortable, at Friday’s spectacle. Fanatics, the apparel and collectibles company, is in a commercial partnership with FIFA, which meant that players and coaches from both Spain and Argentina were obligated to engage with a bunch of rowdy strangers at the Javits Center in Manhattan just 48 hours before their historic match.
Messi, who is not a fan of interviews or public appearances, appeared eager to be anywhere else on the planet. His coach, Lionel Scaloni, called the event “peculiar.”
In this supersized American World Cup, a break from protocol has become the norm. But pre-final interviews usually happen at the stadium, without Tom Brady (or Novak Djokovic or Kevin Durant, who also spoke with the people onstage, including Spain captain Rodri and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez).
While Messi and Yamal have been the talk of the final—understandable, given that “crazy” photographic blast from the past—overlooking all the other players on the field would be foolhardy. Both squads are deep and incredibly accomplished, with Argentina being the defending World Cup champs and Spain having won the Euros two summers ago, and it’s the first-ever final matchup between the reigning South American and European champions.
“It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player,” says Rodri, the Manchester City defensive midfielder who won the Ballon d’Or, given annually to the world’s best soccer player, in 2024. “But Argentina is much more than Messi.”
Lautaro Martínez, whose header off a Messi cross finished off England in the semis, has been one of the best attacking players at the World Cup. Martínez, who plays for Serie A champ Inter Milan, has three goals in the tournament. According to FIFA’s Power Rankings, Argentina defender Cristian Romero, the Tottenham Hotspur standout in the Premier League, is the fifth-best defender in the tournament.
“Two superteams, in my opinion,” says Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
That explains why the cheapest ticket to attend the game costs more than $9,200 as of Saturday afternoon.
Spain has not conceded a single goal all tournament. Spain’s trio of Rodri, Pedro Porro, and Pau Cubarsí are the Top 3 defenders of the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina has scored three goals in five of its seven World Cup games.
“I love the contrasting styles of play,” says FOX Sports analyst Stu Holden, who will call Sunday’s final. “You have the Spanish control versus the Argentine spirit.”
While Argentina’s dramatic flair, showcased in comebacks against Egypt and England in the Round of 16 and semis, respectively, has mesmerized fans, Spain has also risen to the occasion in nailbiters. Mikel Merino’s stoppage time goal, in the 91st minute, gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16, and the Arsenal midfielder scored again against Belgium, in the 88th minute, in Spain’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory.
“On Sunday, we will watch a great show,” says de la Fuente.
“Their star has been the collective,” says Holden, about Spain. “This is their identity. It’s cultural. From 5 years old, you play this formation, this style. There’s a cohesion. There’s a fluidity to the way they play.”
Striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who plays for La Liga team Real Sociedad, leads Spain with five goals during this World Cup. Yamal has just one, against Saudi Arabia in the group stage. If Spain wins, Yamal would become the third-youngest player, behind Pele and Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi, to start and win a World Cup final (while teammate Cubarsi, some six months older, would become the fourth-youngest).
“We were there in 2018 as [Kylian] Mbappé broke on the scene, and that was a moment that we all felt that he was going to be something special,” says Holden. “And we haven’t quite seen that game yet from Lamine Yamal. I think that’s scary for Argentina.”
Messi versus Yamal. Strength versus strength. Two champion teams, from different parts of the world.
And new pictures—without a tub and a towel—to be remembered.