Football fans are about to witness one of the most special moments in FIFA World Cup history. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will face his childhood hero and Argentine legend Lionel Messi in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
But what makes this story truly unforgettable is that the two once posed together for a photo when Yamal was just a 5-month-old baby.
Photo that became football history
Back in 2007, Barcelona and UNICEF organised a charity calendar featuring the club’s players with local families.
Yamal’s family won a raffle to take part in the photoshoot. A young Lionel Messi, who was only 20 years old at the time, was paired with baby Lamine Yamal.
One of the photos showed Messi gently holding and bathing the baby in a small plastic bathtub. At that time, nobody imagined both would one day become football superstars.
Also Read: Lionel Messi reclaims no.1 spot, overtakes Mbappe after Argentina’s semi-final win against England – Here’s top-5 goal scorers
Messi was shy during photoshoot
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the famous images, later revealed that Messi felt a little uncomfortable at first.
He said Messi was naturally shy and did not even know how to hold the baby in the beginning.
However, the photos turned out beautifully and would later become some of the most famous football pictures ever taken.
Yamal’s father made photos viral
The photos remained largely unknown for years. During UEFA Euro 2024, Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared one of the pictures on social media.
He captioned it: “The beginning of two legends.” The post quickly went viral as fans around the world were amazed by the incredible coincidence.
Also Read: ‘People saying stupid things…’ Lionel Messi hits back at FIFA favouritism claims after Argentina beat England
Lamine Yamal became football’s newest superstar
Since then, Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He became Spain’s youngest-ever international star, helped his country win the European Championship, and continued breaking age records.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Yamal once again made history by becoming the youngest player to score a World Cup goal since Brazilian legend Pele in 1958.
World Cup final brings story full circle
Now, football has delivered the perfect ending to this incredible story. Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain will meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
When Yamal was shown the famous baby photo after Spain reached the final, he smiled and said: “I hope to face him in a final.” That wish has now come true.
Final football fans will never forget
The World Cup final is no longer just Argentina vs Spain. It is also the story of a boy who once shared a bathtub with Lionel Messi and is now ready to challenge him for football’s biggest prize.
Regardless of who lifts the trophy, the image of baby Lamine Yamal with a young Lionel Messi has already become one of the most iconic stories in football history.
Also Read: WATCH: What did Lionel Messi find on England’s Jordan Pickford’s water bottle after semi-final clash? His priceless reaction goes viral
First published on: Jul 16, 2026 02:03 PM IST
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About the Author
Aditya Mallick
Aditya Mallick is a Senior Sub-Editor (Sports) with over five years of experience covering cricket, football, and other major sporting events. He has extensively reported on ICC tournaments, international football competitions, and domestic leagues, delivering accurate, engaging, and insightful sports coverage. Aditya holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Maharshi Dayanand University and has built a strong reputation for producing well-researched and reader-focused sports journalism. Every article written by Aditya is thoroughly reviewed and fact-checked by the editorial team before publication, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, credibility, and reliability. His commitment to responsible journalism has earned him the trust of readers and sports enthusiasts alike. Outside the newsroom, Aditya stays actively connected with the sporting world and follows the latest developments across cricket, football, and other global sports. Connect with him on LinkedIn to explore his latest work and insights into the world of sports.
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