A photograph featuring Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal as a baby has gained renewed attention ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The image, taken in 2007, shows Messi bathing a five-month-old Yamal during a charity photoshoot for FC Barcelona.
This upcoming match will mark the first time the two players face each other on a football pitch. Messi, now 39, is expected to play in what could be his final World Cup game, aiming for a fourth title for Argentina. Yamal, 19, is a prominent player for Spain, which seeks its second World Cup title.
The viral photograph’s origins
The photoshoot, captured by Joan Monfort, was part of a charity calendar benefiting UNICEF and was a collaboration with the FC Barcelona Foundation. The calendar, launched in 2008, allocated 50% of its sales to projects supporting children’s rights. Other notable footballers, including Xavi Hernández, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Carles Puyol, and Samuel Eto’o, also participated in the calendar.
Monfort explained in a 2024 interview that each month of the calendar featured a footballer alongside a child from Catalonia. Parents could enter a draw for their children to participate. The objective was to highlight social issues affecting children and families, especially around Christmas, by showing humanity through the interactions between players and children. Monfort suggested the idea of photographing Messi bathing baby Yamal to encourage interaction between them. Yamal’s mother assisted during the session.
The photograph was largely forgotten until Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it on Instagram in July 2024 with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.” This re-emergence occurred as Yamal helped Spain secure victory in the European Championship of 2024.
Messi reflected on the photo, stating on Friday in New York, “Honestly, that photo of us is crazy, because — well, that’s life, right? I took a photo with him as a baby, and here we both are, facing off in a World Cup.” He praised Yamal as a significant talent, noting his impact at 19 years old and wishing him well.
Monfort described the photoshoot experience, recalling that Messi, then 20, was shy and initially unsure how to interact with a baby in a plastic bath. He noted that interaction gradually developed, resulting in a good photo. Monfort highlighted the extraordinary nature of the situation, stating, “Back then, nobody could imagine that this baby would be who he is now — and you could not have known that Messi would become who he became, either.”
Parallel paths and recent connections
Both Messi and Yamal progressed through FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, before joining the first team as teenagers. Both are left-footed forwards who began their careers at an early age. Yamal was born in Barcelona and joined the club’s youth system by the age of six, moving into the academy permanently at 12.
Despite their shared history, Messi and Yamal have not had many interactions since the initial photoshoot. While a chance meeting near the training ground was captured in a photo when Messi was with Inter Miami, sources close to both players indicate that further meetings have been limited due to their busy schedules and living on different continents.
When Yamal’s talent became more apparent, Adidas sought to sponsor him, which included a video message from Messi. However, they did not meet in person during this process. Circumstances have also prevented them from coinciding at major football awards ceremonies.
Yamal did meet former Barcelona star Neymar at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai in December 2024, forming an instant connection. Yamal had admired Neymar, studying his tricks on YouTube. Following their meeting, they maintained regular contact, with Yamal spending time at Neymar’s resort in Rio de Janeiro during a summer holiday.
A planned Finalissima exhibition game between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina in Qatar in March was canceled due to conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. This cancellation prevented an earlier on-pitch meeting between Messi and Yamal. The FIFA World Cup‘s new seeding system meant that Spain and Argentina could only meet in the final if both teams topped their respective groups.
When Yamal received Barcelona’s No. 10 shirt in July of the previous year, there was no direct collaboration with Messi. This is partly attributed to Messi’s complex relationship with Barcelona’s leadership following his departure in 2021. The No. 10 shirt was previously worn by Ansu Fati for two seasons after Messi’s departure. Yamal, aware of the pressures associated with the iconic number, has shown strong performance, scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists in 45 games for Barcelona in the past club season.
Messi’s camp has not publicly embraced the idea of Yamal as his successor, maintaining that Messi’s talents are unique. Yamal himself has avoided comparisons, stating in April 2025, “I don’t want to compare myself with anyone and even less with Messi. I try to follow my own path.”
The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday.
Read Also
Source: nytimes.com
