‘Including Baby Yamal’ Message: Boys Raised on Reports Now Face Their Idol… The Destiny-Defining World Cup Final
The God of Football’ Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina) was once an idol to a generation of young players who now face him in the World Cup final for the championship trophy.
Spanish outlet AS reported on the 16th (Korea time) under the headline “From Childhood Idols in Photos to Rivals in the World Cup Final,” stating that Spanish players are now facing Messi, whom they once admired, on the biggest stage.
Argentina and Spain will meet in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, at 4 a.m. on the 20th.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Argentina secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against England to reach the final. Messi provided two assists in the late second half, laying the foundation for the win.
With this result, Argentina has reached back-to-back World Cup finals, following their championship win at the 2022 Qatar tournament. In this edition, they aim for a consecutive World Cup title and their fourth overall triumph.
Messi also has a chance to perfectly conclude what is effectively his final World Cup campaign. He achieved his long-held dream of winning his first World Cup in Qatar. This time, he has led Argentina to the final once again, bringing his second career World Cup victory within reach.
Argentina’s opponent in the final is Spain. The “Invincible Fleet” Spain advanced to the final for the first time in 16 years after defeating France in the other semi-final.
Spain last won the World Cup at the 2010 South Africa tournament, their only title to date. They now aim for their second overall championship in this competition.
Coincidentally, Messi and Spanish national team players share a special connection. Among them, the relationship between Messi and Ramin Yamal (Barcelona) has drawn particular attention.
Lionel Messi with Ramin Yamal. /Photo=AS capture
Ramin Yamal. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
The two first met in 2007, the year Yamal was born. At that time, Yamal’s family won a charity event jointly organized by the local newspaper ‘Diario Sport’ and UNICEF, earning an opportunity to pose for calendar photoshoots, during which they took pictures with Messi.
At 20 years old, Messi posed for a photo in Barcelona’s home stadium, Camp Nou, where he was seen washing six-month-old Yamal, who was lying in a plastic baby bathtub, inside the locker room.
AS stated, “No one could have predicted that the baby cradled in Messi’s arms would grow up to become one of Spain’s top stars and face him in the World Cup final.” The outlet added, “It is undoubtedly an astonishing coincidence. At the time, Yamal’s family had no connection whatsoever to the football world.”
Even more surprising is that Yamal was not the only Spanish star who took a photo with Messi during his childhood.
Spanish midfielder Gavi (Barcelona) also had several photos released from his youth showing him alongside Messi. Reports indicate that Gavi grew up idolizing Messi during his prime years at Barcelona.
AS explained, “Gavi now has to directly stop Messi instead of looking up to him as an idol.”
Ramin Yamal and Gavi (right). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Ramin Yamal and Dani Olmo (right). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Spanish forward Dani Olmo (Barcelona) also grew up dreaming of becoming a player like Messi.
AS said, “Messi was someone everyone wanted to emulate.” The outlet added, “As time passed, Olmo has now become one of the most experienced attacking resources in the Spanish national team ahead of the World Cup final.”
It further noted, “Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia (Barcelona) is also included among those who took photos with Messi during his childhood. At that time, it may have been just a brief photo session or a short encounter. However, now that the World Cup title is at stake, these moments carry entirely different weight.”
