Yamal eager to face Messi in dream final

The top four teams in the FIFA rankings have reached the semifinals for the first time history. From them, the champions of Euro and Copa America are set to clash for the world champion title for the first time. 

Football fans are eagerly waiting to witness a fairy-tale finale as Argentina will face Spain on July 19.

Two superstars, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are stealing the spotlight ahead of the final.

Meanwhile, a viral photo has triggered massive discussion before their meeting. The picture shows six month-old Yamal is being held by young Messi. The Spanish forward recently reminisced about the story behind that photo.

Yamal is now a key star for Spain. He previously shared how special it would be to face the Argentine squad in the World Cup finals. Fortunately, his wish came true. Spain and Argentina, both have reached the finale with their outstanding performance. 

‘I am a bit older now, and Leo has aged too,’ Yamal told sports OTT platform DAZN about facing Messi. ‘I hope to face him in the final. Since the Finalissima match did not take place, this final is a massive opportunity for me.’

The historic photo was taken in 2007 for a Barcelona Foundation charity campaign. A 20-year-old Messi participated in the photoshoot with families selected through a UNICEF lottery.

By a strange twist of fate, Yamal's family won that lottery. Nobody imagined back then that the young man would become one of the greatest footballers ever, and the baby in his arms would become world football's wonderkid.

Destiny has now brought them together again. However, the context is completely different. 

They will not stand together for a charity event or a photoshoot. This time, they will face off on the biggest stage in football.

-SA