'It's Just Insane': Lionel Messi reacts to viral photo with baby Lamine Yamal before World Cup Final

Lionel Messi has reacted to the viral photograph showing him holding a six-month-old Lamine Yamal during a UNICEF charity photoshoot in 2007, calling the moment "just insane" as the two prepare to face each other in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

The image, captured nearly two decades ago at Barcelona's Camp Nou, has resurfaced on social media, becoming one of football's most talked-about moments.

Speaking ahead of the final, Messi reflected on how unbelievable it is that the baby in the photograph has grown into one of football's brightest stars and is now set to compete against him on the sport's biggest stage. He praised Yamal's rapid rise, describing him as one of the world's top young players and highlighting the remarkable journey they have shared, unknowingly, since that charity event.

The iconic image has captivated football fans worldwide, symbolising the passing of the torch between generations. What began as a routine charity photoshoot has now become a historic snapshot, linking one of football's greatest legends with a rising star ahead of one of the most anticipated World Cup finals in recent memory.