Messi on facing Yamal in World Cup final: 'That's life'

Lionel Messi, the football icon chasing a second consecutive World Cup title, pledged to give everything in Sunday's final.

Speaking Saturday at Fanatics Fest, held at the Javits Center in New York, Messi said Argentina would hold nothing back. "We will give everything," he said. "As I have said many times, we will never stop fighting."

Argentina face Spain in the North and Central America World Cup final Monday at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Argentina won the 2022 Qatar World Cup on the back of a brilliant Messi performance, reclaiming the title 36 years after their 1986 Mexico World Cup triumph, and are now targeting back-to-back championships.

The pre-match format was unusual by World Cup standards. Rather than a stadium media session open only to journalists, Fanatics — a US sports merchandise retailer — hosted an event at the tournament venue where coaches and player representatives from both teams took questions in front of fans as well.

Stars from other sports were also on hand, including tennis legend Novak Djokovic and NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who put questions directly to Messi.

Brady asked about the now-viral bath photo of Messi and Lamine Yamal that has recently resurfaced.

The image, taken in 2007, shows Messi bathing a baby during a charity calendar shoot for his then-club FC Barcelona.

The baby in the photo turned out to be Yamal, who has since become a cornerstone of both the Spanish national team and Barcelona.

"When I see that photo, it really is something. That's life, isn't it?" Messi said. "We took a photo together when he was a baby, and now we're facing each other in the World Cup final."

He added that Yamal was a player he had followed closely. "Lamine plays for the club I love, so I pay attention to him — he's a wonderful player, one of the biggest stars in the world. I hope he does well," Messi said.

He went on to say: "At 19, with his whole future ahead of him, he has a golden opportunity to make history. But this time, I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen."

Ahead of the final, tributes to Messi came from both camps.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called Messi a historic figure and a legend. "We should be grateful to have him with us," Scaloni said. "The final is going to be a wonderful show."

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the players and coaching staff work hard every day to bring happiness to their country. "Together with Messi, the whole team will give its best to bring the World Cup trophy home and celebrate with our people," he said.

Spain captain Rodri said no explanation was needed for what Messi means to Argentina. "He is the greatest player of all time, for me," Rodri said.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called Messi one of a kind. "Particularly at this age, what he shows at a World Cup is an example for younger players," he said. On handling Messi in the final, De la Fuente said Spain would not assign a man-marker to him but would stay alert and pay him special attention.