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Messi Needs Dibu Martínez to Translate Tom Brady's Question in English
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Messi Needs Dibu Martínez to Translate Tom Brady's Question in English

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lionel Messi had to rely on goalkeeper Dibu Martínez to translate a question from American football star Tom Brady during a FIFA Fan Fest event.
  • Brady asked Messi about an iconic photo of him with a young Lamine Yamal, contrasting Yamal's upcoming World Cup final with Messi's potential last one.
  • Messi reflected on the "crazy" nature of facing Yamal in a World Cup final, wishing the young player well while acknowledging their opposing roles.

During a FIFA Fan Fest event ahead of the 2026 World Cup, football icon Lionel Messi found himself in a situation where he needed a translator for a question posed by American football legend Tom Brady. The moment highlighted a language barrier, with Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez stepping in to bridge the gap.

You and Lamine Yamal took that iconic photo when he was a baby. Now he will have his first final in a World Cup and you, probably, although hopefully not, your last. It is very prophetic. What does that photo mean to you?

— Tom BradyAmerican football player Tom Brady posed a question to Lionel Messi about a photo with Lamine Yamal.

Brady's question centered on an "iconic" photograph of a young Lamine Yamal with Messi, drawing a parallel between Yamal's first World Cup final and Messi's potentially last. "You and Lamine Yamal took that iconic photo when he was a baby. Now he will have his first final in a World Cup and you, probably, although hopefully not, your last. It is very prophetic. What does that photo mean to you?" Brady asked.

Lamine is a great player, whom I followed a lot because he plays for a club I love and I always wish him the best. At 19 years old, he is one of the world references and has his whole career ahead of him. And now he has a great opportunity to achieve something historic, in which we will try to do our best so that it is not this time and wish him the best.

— Lionel MessiLionel Messi commented on Lamine Yamal's potential and their contrasting World Cup situations.

Messi, after smiling and looking towards Martínez, received the translated question. Martínez, seeing the official translator delayed, relayed Brady's query to the captain. Messi then shared his thoughts on the "crazy" turn of events, acknowledging Yamal as a "great player" and a "world reference" at just 19 years old. He expressed his wish for Yamal's success, stating, "What is best for him is best for Barcelona," but added, "We will try to do our best so that it is not this time."

It's crazy, because, well, it's life. He was a baby and that we are now facing each other for a World Cup is truly crazy. But well, he is one of the best in the world and I wish him the best. Because what is best for him is best for Barcelona.

— Lionel MessiMessi reflected on the 'crazy' nature of facing a young Lamine Yamal in a World Cup final.

Messi further elaborated on the photo, calling it "crazy" because of the life cycle it represents. He wished Yamal well, recognizing him as one of the world's best players. The event also featured other sports stars like Novak Djokovic and Kevin Durant, with all attendees later sharing a viral selfie.

We will try to do our best so that he does not find his best version.

— Lionel MessiMessi humorously stated his team's intention regarding Yamal's performance in the final.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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