And two days before Messi, now 39, and Yamal, 19, are set to reunite on the pitch at the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium, Tom Brady asked Messi—onstage in front of a throng of phone-wielding fans at Fanatics Fest in New York City—what the pictures meant to him.
Messi looked mystified, and a bit uncomfortable, at Friday’s spectacle. Fanatics, the apparel and collectibles company, is in a commercial partnership with FIFA, which meant that players and coaches from both Spain and Argentina were obligated to engage with a bunch of rowdy strangers at the Javits Center in Manhattan just 48 hours before their historic match.
In this supersized American World Cup, a break from protocol has become the norm. But pre-final interviews usually happen at the stadium, without Tom Brady (or Novak Djokovic or Kevin Durant, who also spoke with the people onstage, including Spain captain Rodri and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez).
“It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player,” says Rodri, the Manchester City defensive midfielder who won the Ballon d'Or, given annually to the world’s best soccer player, in 2024. “But Argentina is much more than Messi.”
—Sebastian Frej and Franck Fife—Getty Images“Two superteams, in my opinion,” says Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
Spain has not conceded a single goal all tournament. Spain’s trio of Rodri, Pedro Porro, and Pau Cubarsí are the Top 3 defenders of the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina has scored three goals in five of its seven World Cup games.
While Argentina's dramatic flair, showcased in comebacks against Egypt and England in the Round of 16 and semis, respectively, has mesmerized fans, Spain has also risen to the occasion in nailbiters. Mikel Merino’s stoppage time goal, in the 91st minute, gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16, and the Arsenal midfielder scored again against Belgium, in the 88th minute, in Spain’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory.
“Their star has been the collective,” says Holden, about Spain. “This is their identity. It's cultural. From 5 years old, you play this formation, this style. There's a cohesion. There's a fluidity to the way they play.”
“We were there in 2018 as [Kylian] Mbappé broke on the scene, and that was a moment that we all felt that he was going to be something special,” says Holden. “And we haven't quite seen that game yet from Lamine Yamal. I think that's scary for Argentina.”
And new pictures—without a tub and a towel—to be remembered.
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