Leo Messi and Lamine Yamal, forever united by the number 19. The figure repeats itself so often in their careers that, at times, it becomes almost frightening if we stop to analyze it.

The two stars will face each other head-to-head, for the first time in their careers, after crossing paths 19 years ago in the famous photo shoot in which Messi was bathing Lamine. A viral image that has regained enormous attention because their paths will cross again 19 years later and in a World Cup final. 

If that was already striking, so is the fact that both made their World Cup debut at 19 years old (both turned that age in the middle of the tournament). Lamine Yamal is doing it in the current edition and Messi did it in 2006. And even more so, because both made their debut at a World Cup wearing the number 19 shirt...

Just the same shirt number that both wore at Barcelona, although it is true that Messi's debut was with the "30". But he soon moved on to the 19, the same one Lamine wore for the blaugrana side before taking over the "10" that Leo wore for many years.

To further feed the conspiracy theorists, it is worth remembering that the World Cup final in which both will play for the title will be... on July 19. The number keeps repeating, bringing to mind the movie "23" by Joel Schumacher starring Jim Carrey, obsessed with that number. A film that was released... 19 years ago!

Bonus track: Argentina has scored 19 goals in this World Cup and Lamine has, between goals and assists, 18... Will it be 19 on Sunday?