New York, July 19 -- Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday recalled the iconic photograph of Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal nearly two decades ago, calling it "football's most famous blessing" as the two stars prepare to face each other on the game's biggest stage.

In a post on X, Mamdani wrote, "Nineteen years ago, Lionel Messi bathed a baby named Lamine Yamal for a charity calendar. Some call it football's most famous blessing. Others say it sounds like the plot of the perfect movie."

Referring to Sunday's World Cup final at the NYNJ Stadium, he added, "Tomorrow, we find out how it ends at the NYNJ Stadium."

The New York City Mayor also invited footbal...