They shared a tender moment 18 years ago.It was a moment captured in a photograph when a young Barcelona footballer, Lionel Messi, held Spanish baby Lamine Yamal during a promotional photo shoot.The image went viral last week after it became clear that Argentina and Spain would face each other in today’s FIFA World Cup final.
‘A lot of excitement’: Customer service representative at Caribbean Collection Aliana Maraj displays T-shirts featuring Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Spain’s Lamini Yamal. Both items have been hot sellers.—Photo: MICHELLE LOUBON
According to CBS, the photo shoot took place in 2008 after Yamal’s family won a raffle to have their picture taken with a Barcelona player at Camp Nou. Messi, then just 20 years old and only a few seasons into his Barcelona career, was coincidentally paired with the infant Yamal.“Messi is a pretty introverted guy; he’s shy,” photographer Joan Monfort told the Associated Press in 2022. “He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he found himself in another room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. He didn’t even know how to hold him at first.”Today, as the much-anticipated World Cup final kicks off in New York, the two global football stars will meet in a very different setting—as fierce rivals chasing the sport’s biggest prize.Football fever has swept Trinidad and Tobago, with fans snapping up T-shirts featuring Argentina captain Lionel “Leo” Messi, 39, and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, 19. Jerseys are selling “like hot hops”, with prices ranging from $200 to $850, while caps cost about $175 each. Other World Cup memorabilia, including key chains, mugs and puzzles, have also been flying off the shelves.‘Like hot hops’In the lead-up to today’s final, fans flocked to bars and fan zones wearing replica jerseys and caps featuring their favourite players.At FanZone, MovieTowne, Mucurapo, on Friday, a customer service representative, who asked not to be named, said Messi and Yamal merchandise had been especially popular.“Messi and Lamine Yamal T-shirts are selling like hot hops. World Cup jerseys from all the countries—Brazil, Germany, France and England—have been selling, too. The branded jerseys, like Adidas and Nike, are going for $850. It’s authentic merchandise. We had key chains, but they sold out. Most of the World Cup memorabilia is gone. We still have puzzles priced between $270 and $395,” the representative said.At Caribbean Connection, customer service representative Aliana Maraj said Friday was one of the busiest days since the tournament began.“People have been coming in all morning. We had about 100 customers buying T-shirts and caps. Our T-shirts are locally made and cost between $180 and $200. The same company also makes our caps. Customers even stop to chat with us about who they think will win. There’s a lot of excitement,” she said.Asked which team she was supporting, Maraj replied: “Argentina. It’s a family tradition. I really want them to win.”By 6 p.m. on Friday at Excellent City Mall on Frederick Street, Port of Spain, a customer service representative said most football merchandise had sold out, with the remaining T-shirts priced at $390.Maraval resident Lawrence Salandy, a Spain supporter, said he bought official jerseys in the United States for US$300 each.“I had my name printed on mine to show support for Spain. I like Spain, especially since so much of the country has gone wild for Argentina. We bought the original merchandise.“Some of my friends bought jerseys here for about $350 each, but unfortunately some of their favourite teams, like France, Brazil and Germany, have already been knocked out,” he said.Laventille resident Sean Mitchell, who regularly plays football at the Morvant Recreation Ground, said he would be cheering for Spain.“They play to win. It’s Spain all the way,” he said.A veteran sportscaster told the Sunday Express that international football jerseys remain among the hottest-selling items. “If you’re buying a Messi jersey or even a Manchester United shirt, you’re looking at around $500 or more. The Messi jerseys command premium prices. Local jerseys, like TTFA shirts, usually cost between $300 and $400.“Fans are buying jerseys representing both countries and individual players. The biggest demand is for the tournament’s star players. Kylian Mbappé is also a hot seller because he’s one of the World Cup’s leading scorers,” he said.• See Back Page
