Lionel Messi has described his now-famous 2007 photograph alongside a then-infant Lamine Yamal as "incredible," speaking on Friday as the two prepare to face each other in Sunday's World Cup final.

The image, which went viral after Yamal emerged as one of the world's most exciting young footballers, captures a moment neither could have anticipated — Argentina's captain posing with a baby who would grow up to become his opponent on the sport's grandest stage.

Messi, leading Argentina into the final, acknowledged the remarkable nature of that coincidence ahead of the historic clash.