15 Jul, 22:16··

Messi and Yamal reunited in World Cup final.

ZEIT Online

Lionel Messi met Lamine Yamal, a young player, in the past. They will play against each other in the World Cup final. This meeting has become a significant event for both players.

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal have a long history. They first met as babies in a photo taken in 2008. Yamal is now a 19-year-old player for the Spanish national team. Messi played with Yamal in a friendly match in 2024. Yamal is fully fit and ready to play in the World Cup final. Experts are watching the game between the two players.

Summarized from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.

Highlights

Baby Photo Reunion

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal met after a baby photo was taken nineteen years earlier.

World Cup Final Matchup

Messi and Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final.

Viral Training Incident

Messi fell into a bathtub during a training session, becoming a viral topic.

Yamal's Potential

Lamine Yamal is considered a ‘potential exception’ for the 2026 World Cup.

Messi and Yamal's History

Messi gave water to a young Lamine Yamal in 2007, setting the stage for their final meeting.

Perspectives

Sources agree
  • Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will play in the World Cup final.
  • The two players have a history, including a photo from 2007.
  • Lamine Yamal is a young Spanish player expected to play in the final.
  • The World Cup final is a significant event for both players and their teams.
Sources disagree
Messi's reaction to the reunion

Messi found the photo 'bizarre'.

RTL Nieuws

The meeting is a ‘dream final’.

France24

VS
Framing of Yamal’s potential

Yamal is a ‘rising star’ and ‘potential successor’.

El País, la Repubblica

Spanish coach avoids comparisons to Messi.

France24

VS

Timeline

2d 20h span
15 Jul, 22:1618 Jul, 18:03
footballsportmessiathletesworld cup