Lionel Messi has spoken for the first time about the “insane” viral 2007 photograph showing him bathing a six-month-old Lamine Yamal during a charity shoot, ahead of Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

A 20-year-old Messi, long-haired and smiling shyly, held Yamal in a blue plastic tub for freelance photographer Joan Monfort. Neither knew the image would resurface decades later.

"That picture with Lamine, now we are facing each other in a final after a photo taken when he was a baby. It's just insane," Messi told American football legend Tom Brady during an interaction before the final on Friday.

Messi called the 19-year-old, who inherited his No. 10 shirt at Barcelona one of the best in the world right now, with his career still ahead of him.

“Lamine is a fantastic player, whom I followed closely because he plays for a club I love and always wish the best for. He’s a global icon at just 19 years old, with his whole career ahead of him.

“He has a great opportunity to achieve something historic, and we'll try our best to make sure it's not this time," Messi said, adding he hoped Yamal fell short only in Sunday's final.

Yamal earned Barcelona's No. 10 after scoring 18 goals and providing 25 assists last season, helping the club win a domestic treble and reach the Champions League semi-finals. He has extended his contract until 2031.