Messi breaks silence on 'insane' 2007 photo with Lamine Yamal ahead of World Cup final

Published Jul 18, 02:08 PM UTC

Lionel Messi publicly commented for the first time on a resurfaced 2007 photo showing him as a 20-year-old Barcelona player holding a six-month-old Lamine Yamal during a UNICEF charity calendar shoot. Speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York on Friday, Messi called the image 'insane' and reflected on its foreshadowing nature as the two now face each other in the World Cup final. The photo, originally taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort, went viral in 2024 after Yamal's father shared it. UNICEF confirmed its authenticity and noted both players later became Goodwill Ambassadors. Messi praised Yamal as a fantastic player for Barcelona and acknowledged the historic opportunity for Yamal to become the second-youngest starter to win a World Cup final, while half-jokingly hoping Spain does not play their best game.