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Messi and Yamal 19 years ago
Keystone
The 2026 World Cup final will feature a generational showdown between Argentina and Spain. The South Americans could become the first team since 1962 to defend their title. However, the Spaniards—who have won the title only once, in 2010—are the favorites.
When the whistle blows to kick off the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, two soccer powerhouses will face off. Defending champion Argentina will take on European champion Spain. The match takes on special significance as it pits two generations against each other: 39-year-old Lionel Messi is playing in what may be his last major final, and he’ll face Lamine Yamal, Spain’s 19-year-old rising star. This head-to-head matchup is drawing even more attention thanks to a nearly two-decade-old photo of the two of them that’s currently circulating online.
It’s been nearly twenty years since a very young Lionel Messi posed for a charity calendar. In the photo, he’s bathing a smiling baby in a small plastic tub. That baby was none other than Lamine Yamal. What was an innocent photo shoot back then now seems like a prophetic passing of the torch. On Sunday, the former “godfather” and the baby he once bathed will face off on the biggest stage in world soccer.
Messi is aiming to become the first player since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title, while 19-year-old Yamal, who has been making his mark on this tournament with his effortless play, wants to claim the crown and bring Spain its second title since 2010.
The Argentines demonstrated that they had come to North America to defend their title tooth and nail following their semifinal victory over England. After their dramatic comeback, the South Americans’ emotional intensity erupted on the field in a controversial political gesture: The team celebrated their advancement to the final exuberantly with a banner reading “Las Malvinas son argentinas.” In doing so, they laid claim to the Falkland Islands—a British-governed overseas territory known in Argentina as the Malvinas and historically claimed by the country.
This action underscores the tremendous passion, national pride, and uncompromising spirit of a team that presents itself as an unshakable unit. However, this unambiguous political statement is likely to have costly repercussions: FIFA, which strictly prohibits political messages on the field, is expected to impose a hefty fine on the Argentine soccer association for this action.
When comparing the two finalists position by position, it comes as little surprise that the matchup is at an absolutely world-class level. Spain’s midfield, led by the ever-present captain Rodri, dominates the game with surgical passing precision and impressive tactical discipline. Argentina counters with sheer passion, uncompromising defense led by Cristian Romero, and the tireless running of Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister.
While Spain appears to be more tactically mature and fluid as a team, Argentina possesses the incredible resilience of a champion that knows how to win even the closest matches. The “Albiceleste” is a tournament team in the truest sense of the word—seasoned, tough, and ice-cold when it counts.
The Spaniards’ dominance on the field so far in the tournament is clearly reflected by the betting companies. International bookmakers list Spain as the clear favorite. The odds reflect Spain’s consistency on the field and their offensive firepower; on their way to the final, they faced far fewer close calls than the Argentines, who were forced into extra time against both Cape Verde and Switzerland.
However, betting odds and statistics take a back seat when the lights come on Sunday. It will be the ultimate dance between two generations. A final that will not only decide who raises the World Cup trophy into the American night sky, but also whether the king remains on the throne—or whether the baby he once bathed will usher in a new era.
19.07.2026, 04:01
