From Bath Time 19 Years Ago to a World Cup Final Showdown

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As Argentina and Spain prepare to face off in the final, the special connection between Lionel Messi and the rising star Lamine Yamal is drawing renewed attention. The baby whom Messi bathed 19 years ago has grown into a world-class player, and now, they are set for a fateful clash with the World Cup title on the line.

Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

Back in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi with a youthful face carefully bathed a baby with bright, clear eyes.

The baby, then five months old, had the good fortune of meeting Messi after his parents won a contest to participate in a charity photo shoot. It was as if he had been blessed, as he grew up following in Messi's footsteps.

Like Messi, a left-footed player, Lamine Yamal went through the Barcelona youth system and broke Messi's record by making his first-team debut at the youngest age. He even inherited Messi's iconic number 10 jersey. In this World Cup, at the age of 18 years and 343 days, he found the back of the net, pushing Messi down one spot in the rankings for the youngest goal scorer in World Cup history.

And this coming Monday, in a turn of events that feels like a fairy tale, he will face Messi in the World Cup final.

This will be the first time the two have faced each other on the pitch.

[Lionel Messi/Argentina National Football Team Forward: When I watch him play, it feels similar to my younger days. He is already one of the best in the world.]

[Lamine Yamal/Spain National Football Team Forward: Of course, I admire Messi, but I don't try to be compared to him. I am just trying to follow my own path.]

Spain, which won the European Championship two years ago, and Argentina, which won the Copa America last year, will face off in the first-ever World Cup final between the champions of South America and Europe.

The key to the match will be whether Spain's powerful defensive organization, which has conceded only one goal in seven matches during this tournament, can contain Messi's instinct for being a game-changer.

Ticket prices for the final have soared to as high as 110 million won, with an average price of 20.3 million won, making it expected to be the most expensive sporting event in U.S. history.

(Video Editing: Ha Seong-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.