Messi and Tom Brady in disbelief over 'prophetic' Lamine Yamal photo
Lionel Messi and Tom Brady discussed a 2007 photograph of Messi holding a baby Lamine Yamal, who is now a rising star in world football. The two athletes reflected on the 'prophetic' nature of the image as Yamal prepares to face Messi in the World Cup final.
Why it matters
This human-interest story bridges the gap between different generations of sports icons and highlights the cultural significance of the World Cup.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi appeared at the Fifa event on Friday night alongside former NFL legend and minority owner of Birmingham City Tom Brady
Argentina captain Lionel Messi says it is "crazy" to be facing Spain's Lamine Yamal in Sunday's World Cup final after being photographed with him as a baby.
In 2007 Lamine Yamal's parents won a charity photoshoot at Barcelona in which 20-year-old Messi held their five-month-old baby.
Speaking to Messi during a news conference in New York, NFL legend Tom 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."
Image source, Joan Monfort Image caption, The picture of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal from 2007
Lamine Yamal made his Barcelona debut at 15 and has inherited the number 10 shirt from Messi.
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