Messi Once Held Baby Yamal; Now They'll Battle For The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published 15 July 2026 · sports

Messi Once Held Baby Yamal; Now They'll Battle For The 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 03:56 IST From a

Messi Once Held Baby Yamal; Now They'll Battle For The 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 03:56 IST From a UNICEF charity photoshoot to the FIFA World Cup final, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are about to complete one of football's most remarkable full-circle stories. Rapid Read Leo Messi bathing a baby Lamine Yamal for a UNICEF photoshoot in 2007 (X) Nineteen years ago, Lionel Messi was helping bathe a si month-old baby during a UNICEF charity photoshoot. On Sunday, that same baby will stand across from him in the biggest match in football. Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England, setting up a mouthwatering showdown against European champions Spain. The final will also mark the first-ever meeting on the pitch between Lionel Messi and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. But remarkably, the pair have already met once before. A Photo That Became Football Folklore The now-famous photographs were taken in 2007, when a 20-year-old Messi was still establishing himself as Barcelona’s next superstar and si month-old Yamal was an unknown infant.

You can’t script this 🤯Nearly 20 years after Lionel Messi held a baby Lamine Yamal in a Barcelona charity photoshoot… they will meet again on the biggest stage of all. pic.twitter.com/oyB0bVNRgI — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 15, 2026 As part of a UNICEF charity calendar organised by Diario Sport, Yamal’s family won a raffle that earned them a place in the photoshoot. The images showed Messi carefully holding the baby before giving him a bubble bath in a small plastic tub — an innocent moment that has since become one of football’s most iconic throwback pictures. The photos resurfaced last year after Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, posted one on Instagram with the caption: “The beginning of two legends." Now they meet for football’s biggest prize The timing could hardly be more poetic. Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday on July 13 before helping Spain defeat France 2-0 to reach their first World Cup final since 2010. Argentina followed by edging England thanks to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, ensuring Messi’s final World Cup will end with one last shot at glory.

When shown the famous photograph during Spain’s media duties earlier this week, Yamal laughed. “Yes, I’ve grown a little and I think Leo has too," he joked. “I hope it happens. I’d love to face Messi in a World Cup final." His wish has now come true. For Messi, Sunday’s final is expected to be the last World Cup match of his extraordinary career. For Yamal, it could be the beginning of a new era. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Messi's final World Cup end in victory? The outcome of Lionel Messi's final World Cup is not yet determined, as Argentina has reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday. This marks Messi's fourth World Cup final appearance as captain. Could Lamine Yamal lead Spain to a World Cup title? Spain, with Lamine Yamal as a key player, has reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.