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FIFA legends gathered at Rockefeller Center in New York for an exhibition match ahead of Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and defending champions Argentina.
When asked about the famous photo of Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal, former Spanish defender Fernando Hierro described the image as "straight out of a movie." He highlighted the remarkable contrast between a player still competing at 39 and a teenager now making his World Cup debut. Hierro added that while everyone knows Messi's significance to Argentina, the final would be decided by the teams, not individual players.
Another former Spanish defender, Míchel Salgado, called the final a "50-50" affair. He noted that Argentina has repeatedly staged comebacks throughout the tournament, while Spain would also be a tough team to beat if they could control the game.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the expanded World Cup format had exceeded his expectations. He praised the atmosphere, the fans, and the stories the tournament had created, adding that "only football can write such stories."
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