'I hope he doesn't have a good game': Messi vows to deny Yamal World Cup glory

Lionel Messi has praised Spain teenager Lamine Yamal ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final but made it clear that Argentina will do everything possible to stop him from making history.The defending champions will face European champions Spain on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Yamal aiming to add another milestone to his growing career. Messi acknowledged the teenager's rise but said Argentina's priority is to ensure that the historic moment does not come at their expense."Lamine is truly amazing," Messi said. "I've followed him a lot because he plays for a club I love so much. He has a chance to achieve something historic — we're going to try to make sure that doesn't happen this time."Messi was speaking to seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest on Friday, where he also reflected on one of football's most talked-about photographs in recent days.The image, taken nearly two decades ago, shows a 20-year-old Messi bathing infant Yamal during a promotional charity photo shoot in Barcelona. The picture has gone viral again ahead of Sunday's final because the two will now face each other on football's biggest stage."That picture with Lamine, now we are facing in a final after a photo was taken of when he was a baby," Messi said. "It's just insane."The photograph was taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort, who admitted he never imagined its significance when he clicked it.Almost two decades ago, Monfort photographed teenage Messi bathing a baby boy in a plastic bathtub during a charity calendar shoot. Years later, that baby grew into Spain star Lamine Yamal.Now the images have become one of the biggest talking points before the World Cup final between Messi's Argentina and Yamal's Spain."I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts. This is beyond all reasonable explanations," Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.While the photograph has captured the imagination of football fans, Messi's focus remains firmly on Sunday's final.The Argentina captain said he has followed Yamal's progress closely, especially because the teenager now plays for Barcelona, the club where Messi spent 21 years between 2000 and 2021.Messi, however, hopes the 19-year-old does not produce another memorable performance in the final."We'll try to put on a good match, but I hope he and his team don't put on a good one," Messi said.Both players have history within reach.Messi could become the first player to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles as captain, while Yamal could become the second-youngest player to start and win a World Cup final.Following their respective semifinal victories, defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain will meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.