Sports journalist Tom Brady questioned Lionel Messi about a widely shared image from the FIFA World Cup 2026. The photo shows Messi with Lamine Yamal as an infant. The two players will meet as opponents in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Messi noted he has tracked Yamal’s progress through their shared Barcelona ties and always supports the club’s interests. He described the image as remarkable, remarking that life unfolds unpredictably. Messi called Yamal one of the world’s leading players at age 19 and said the youngster has a strong chance to make history, though Argentina will aim to prevent that outcome. Messi added that Yamal’s success would also benefit Barcelona. The original photograph was taken in 2007 during a UNICEF event at Camp Nou, where Messi helped bathe the five-month-old Yamal. Yamal’s family had won the opportunity through a raffle. Messi has backed UNICEF since 2004 and served as a goodwill ambassador since 2010.
