We will do everything to stop him: Messi targets Yamal before Final

Lionel Messi has pledged to do "everything possible" to stop Lamine Yamal when Argentina face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while hailing the teenage sensation as one of the world's finest footballers.

The title showdown at MetLife Stadium on Monday (July 20) will mark the first on-field meeting between the two stars, although their connection dates back nearly two decades. In 2007, a then-Barcelona youngster Messi famously posed for a charity calendar photo while bathing a five-month-old Yamal—an image that has since become one of football's most iconic photographs.

Speaking at a pre-final media event in New York alongside coach Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, Messi reflected on that memorable moment and praised the 19-year-old Spaniard's rapid rise.

"It's incredible that the baby from that photo is now playing against me in a World Cup final," Messi said. "He's already one of the best players in the world. I wish him every success because his success is also good for Barcelona."

The Argentina captain, however, made it clear that friendship and admiration will be put aside once the match begins.

"Lamine is an extraordinary player and has a great future ahead of him. He has a wonderful opportunity to make history, but we'll do everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen this time," Messi added.

Messi also addressed the pressure of defending Argentina's world title, insisting the team remains focused on enjoying the game rather than being burdened by expectations.

"We don't think about pressure. We love competing and we love winning, but football is a team game and the opponent also wants to win. Growing up, I learned that you lose more often than you win, and that lesson helped shape me as both a person and a footballer."

Argentina enter the final aiming to retain the World Cup, while Spain seek to deny the defending champions and crown a new era led by Yamal.