Lionel Messi praised Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, but made it clear that Argentina will do everything possible to prevent him from making history.The defending champions will face European champions Spain on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with Yamal aiming to add another step to his burgeoning career. Messi acknowledged the teenager’s rise but said Argentina’s priority is to ensure the historic moment does not come at their expense.“Lamine is really amazing,” said Messi. “I follow him a lot because he plays for a club that I like a lot. He has a chance to achieve something historic – we have to try to make sure it doesn’t happen this time.”Messi spoke to seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest on Friday, where he also reflected on one of the most talked about photos of football in recent days.The image, taken nearly two decades ago, shows a 20-year-old Messi taking the Yamal bath during a promotional charity photo shoot in Barcelona. The picture has gone viral again ahead of Sunday’s final as the two will now face each other on football’s biggest stage.“This photo with Lamine, now we are facing a final after a photo was taken of when he was a child,” Messi said. “It’s just crazy.”The photograph was taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort, who admitted that he never imagined its meaning when he clicked it.Almost two decades ago, Monfort photographed the teenage Messi bathing a child in a plastic tub during a charity calendar shoot. Years later, that child became the Spanish star Lamine Yamal.Now the images have become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the World Cup final between Messi’s Argentina and Yamal’s Spain.“I’ve never been a believer or thought that something was meant to happen, but I started to have my doubts. This is beyond all reasonable explanations,” Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.While the photograph has captured the imagination of football fans, Messi’s focus remains firmly on Sunday’s final.The Argentina captain said he has been closely following Yamal’s progress, especially as the teenager now plays for Barcelona, the club where Messi spent 21 years between 2000 and 2021.Messi, however, hopes the 19-year-old does not produce another memorable performance in the final.“We will try to put on a good match, but I hope that he and his team will not put on a good one,” Messi said.Both players have history within reach.Messi could become the first player to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles as captain, while Yamal could become the second youngest player to start and win a World Cup final.After their respective semi-final victories, defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.