'I hope he doesn't have a good game': Messi vows to deny Yamal World Cup glory
Lionel Messi expressed admiration for teenager Lamine Yamal ahead of the 2026 World Cup final while stating his intent to prevent Spain from winning. The match has gained significant attention due to a viral photo of a young Messi bathing a baby Yamal nearly two decades ago.
Why it matters
It captures a unique cultural and sports moment that bridges generations of football history.
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.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in