​If Argentina’s exhilarating World Cup run comes to an end short of a repeat championship, even after surviving four knockout-round matches that were decided after 90 minutes, the script writers couldn’t have inked a better finish than for Lionel Messi to pass the torch of his greatness to the baby from that photo.The baby from what photo?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe baby from THAT photo. The nearly 20-year-old picture of a young Messi bathing a baby who grew up to be Spain star Lamine Yamal… who Messi and Argentina are about to play Sunday in the World Cup final. It’s a coincidence too good to be true, and it’s the perfect way to end what’s been a thrilling a tournament.The G.O.A.T. of his generation, Messi wants to finish his potential last World Cup on top. But if he can’t, it’s only right someone with the potential to be the G.O.A.T. of the future takes it. Torch-passing is not a mutual act. You can’t be the man until you beat the man — even if the man once bathed you. You can’t be the champs until you beat the champs.Of course, beating Messi and Argentina won’t be easy. England found out Wednesday you can never count them out. But if anyone is capable of dethroning them, it’s a Spain team that just brought a dominant France attack to its knees in the semifinals.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNO REGRETS: Thomas Tuchel isn’t doing himself any favors with England1 / 12Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates defender #25 Facundo Medina and forward #17 Giuliano Simeone his team’s second goal scored by Argentina’s forward #22 Lautaro Martinez (out of frame) during the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between England and Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, 2026.(THOMAS COEX, AFP via Getty Images)With one conceded goal all tournament, Spain is a consensus favorite to win. All the better if Yamal can put on a show in the process.Yamal snatching the torch on this stage wouldn’t make the sting of defeat any less for Messi and Argentina, but short of a classic Messi performance and retirement immediately after (which isn’t happening), it’s a better story for the masses than an Argentina repeat. It would stamp the 19-year-old Yamal as the new face of football that even casuals can follow as Messi declines. (It would also be incredibly cathartic for Argentina’s greatest export to relinquish that title to a Spanish-speaking brown person of African descent).FALKLANDS WAR: FIFA may punish Argentina for banner ahead of WC FinalAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPlus, it would add another layer to that dang photo. The photo that was right there all along, foreshadowing the future of football. By the way, has anyone checked to see if Yamal has taken pictures with any babies yet?If you’re planning to catch The Odyssey as it hits theaters this weekend, allow FTW’s Cory Woodroof to prepare you with his review on Christopher Nolan’s latest in a string of “monuments to the powe