‘Life works in strange ways’: Lionel Messi in viral photo with Lamin Yamal ahead of World Cup final between Spain and Argentina | Today’s news
Sports journalist Tom Brady asked Lionel Messi about the photo that went viral during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It shows Messi and Lamine Yamal together when the Spanish footballer was a child.
The two will now face each other in the World Cup final. The kid Leo faced 19 years ago will be his rival tomorrow at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Messi said he was watching Yamal closely because of the Barcelona link. He always wants the best for his beloved former club.
“The photo is just unbelievable because, well, life works in strange ways. I took a picture with him when he was a kid and now we’re both going to face each other at the World Cup. It’s crazy, really. Like I said, it’s unbelievable,” Messi said.
Messi praised Yamal as already one of the best players in the world. At just 19, Yamal has his entire career ahead of him. He has a real chance to achieve something historic.
“He has a great opportunity to achieve something historic. But we will do everything in our power to make sure it doesn’t happen this time,” Messi said.
KOZA called the shared photo simply “unbelievable.” Messi wished Lamine Yamal further success even after this particular match.
“He has a great opportunity to achieve something historic. But we will do everything in our power to make sure it doesn’t happen this time,” Messi said of Yamal.
“Right now he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. I wish him great success because what is good for him is good for Barcelona,” added Messi.
Social media reacted to Messi’s comments ahead of the Spain vs Argentina final.
“As a Barcelona fan, this is a win-win situation for me,” one fan wrote.
Many others acknowledged the “crazy coincidence”.
One fan wrote: “That’s the real GOAT talking. I don’t understand but I’ll just listen.”
“He said he wishes Lamino the best because his well-being will also be the well-being of FC Barcelona… this man loves Barca with all his heart,” said another fan.
Messi and Yamal: Viral photo
In 2007, Lionel Messi was already one of football’s brightest young stars. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal was just a 5-month-old baby. The pair posed together for a FC Barcelona and UNICEF photo shoot.
Messi helped bathe baby Yamal in a small blue tub. The photographer noted that Yamal stole Messi’s heart with his constant smile. Yamal’s family won the raffle for this photo opportunity. The image appeared on the January 2008 calendar page.
Messi has supported UNICEF since 2004 and became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2010. After the devastating earthquake of the same year, he traveled to Haiti. He has spent more than a decade advocating for children’s rights around the world.
This year he was joined by Yamal as UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador. Yamal now advocates the right of every child to play freely.
