Lionel Messi referred to his now-famous photograph with baby Lamine Yamal as ‘unbelievable,’ as the two Barcelona generations prepared to face off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
Event Context
When NFL legend Tom Brady inquired about the significance of a photograph before their World Cup clash, Lionel Messi shared his respect for the young Spanish player and emphasized Argentina’s determination to obstruct his path to a historic victory.
“At just 19, he is already one of the top stars in the world with an entire career ahead of him. This is a tremendous chance for him to achieve something remarkable, and we will do everything we can to prevent that. Nonetheless, I sincerely wish him the best. It’s incredible to look at this photo—life is like that. I took a picture with him when he was just a baby, and now we’re set to face each other in the World Cup.”
Additionally, amidst this buildup, Kylian Mbappé commented, admitting he would exchange his record for a chance to play in the World Cup final.
The photograph had been largely overlooked until Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it during Euro 2024, captioned: “The beginning of two legends.” The image went viral as Yamal played a pivotal role in leading Spain to victory in the European Championship.
Often referenced as a snapshot from 17 years prior, by the time Messi and Yamal take to the field for the 2026 World Cup final, nearly 19 years will have elapsed. What started as a casual charity calendar shoot has now evolved into a symbol of a monumental generational showdown: Messi, nearing the end of his illustrious career, against the child he once held, now striving to claim the World Cup title from him.
When Lionel Messi held baby Lamine Yamal
On Sunday, the New York New Jersey Stadium will host a thrilling clash as Lionel Messi leads the defending champions Argentina against European titleholders Spain. The 39-year-old soccer icon aims to secure a second consecutive World Cup victory, but standing in his way is 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, heralded as one of football’s brightest upcoming stars.
Their story is steeped in nostalgia. Almost 19 years prior to this final, a youthful Messi, aged 20, was captured in a moment of tenderness as he held and bathed a baby Yamal during a charity calendar photoshoot at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
“I keep a close eye on Lamine because he plays for a club I love. I always wish him the best and want nothing but success for him,” Messi conveyed through an interpreter at the Fanatics Fest in New York.
The touching images, taken by Joan Monfort on October 31, 2007, feature Yamal when he was just three and a half months old. At that time, Messi was already recognized as a rising star at Barcelona, yet he had not yet claimed any of his eight Ballon d’Or awards, which would come in the following years.
This photoshoot was part of a charity initiative organized by Barcelona in collaboration with UNICEF and the Spanish newspaper Sport. Families from the Catalan town of Mataró were given a chance through a raffle to have their children photographed alongside their favorite Barcelona players.
Yamal’s family was fortunate enough to be chosen, and the infant was randomly partnered with Messi inside the away dressing room at Camp Nou. Iconic images emerged from the shoot, including one that shows Messi assisting Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana, as she bathes her son in a small tub, and another of Messi cradling the baby, wrapped snugly in a towel.
