A photograph taken nearly two decades ago depicting a young Lionel Messi bathing an infant Lamine Yamal has gained significant attention ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. The image, captured in 2007, shows Messi, then a teenager, with soap suds on his hands as he bathes a five-month-old Yamal in a plastic tub.
The photo, originally part of a charity calendar produced by a local newspaper and UNICEF, has become a focal point of discussion leading up to Sunday’s match. Joan Monfort, the freelance photojournalist who took the picture, expressed his astonishment at the coincidence. He mentioned that he never believed in destiny but is now having doubts due to this remarkable turn of events.
Monfort recounted that the opportunity arose because Yamal’s mother won a raffle for families in Mataró, near Barcelona, to participate in the calendar project. This led to her baby boy being paired with Messi, who would later become one of football’s most celebrated players. The photographer, 58, is a lifelong Barcelona supporter and finds his loyalty divided between Messi and Yamal for the upcoming final.
The Resurgence of a Remarkable Photo
The photograph remained largely forgotten until Yamal’s father posted it on social media during the 2024 European Championship. At that time, a teenage Yamal was experiencing an international breakthrough, leading Spain to the title. The image quickly went viral, and its popularity has surged even further with the impending World Cup final.
Monfort noted that the interest in his photos has “exploded all over the world,” with the final being held in the U.S. contributing to its increased visibility. He described the situation as “better than any film script.” Monfort also mentioned being inundated with requests for the photos from media outlets, while simultaneously seeing his images widely reproduced online without proper credit or compensation.
Mikel Merino, Yamal’s teammate, shared a common reaction to the photo, initially believing it to be an AI-generated image. He expressed disbelief that two players of such caliber, with Yamal potentially becoming one of the best, could share such a unique photograph. Merino anticipates a vibrant final featuring both protagonists at their peak.
Messi himself commented on the photo on Friday in New York, calling it “crazy.” He acknowledged the extraordinary coincidence of having photographed Yamal as a baby and now facing him in a World Cup final. Messi described Yamal as a significant talent, wishing him the best for his future career.
The probability of Messi and Yamal, who is 19, appearing in the photos together and then meeting in a World Cup final has sparked widespread debate on social media. Some estimates suggest the chances are incredibly low, with figures in the one in 48 billion range. Despite the unlikelihood, the encounter is now set to happen.
A Shared Path and Future Encounters
The photographer, Monfort, recalled the challenges of the 2007 photoshoot, noting Messi, then 20, was shy and found himself with a tiny baby in a plastic bath. He explained that interaction was initially minimal but gradually improved, resulting in a good photograph. Monfort emphasized that at the time, no one could have predicted the future prominence of either Messi or Yamal.
The journey for both players has been notable. Messi departed Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial difficulties, while Yamal emerged at the club two years later. The upcoming final marks a full circle, from the bathtub photo to a direct confrontation on the global stage, with Messi being 20 years Yamal’s senior.
Despite their shared history, Messi and Yamal have not had many regular encounters since the initial photoshoot. Messi, a prodigy, moved from Rosario, Argentina, to join Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy at 13. He went on to score 709 goals in 837 games for the first team, securing multiple trophies, including four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles, before his departure in 2021.
Yamal, born in Barcelona and raised in Mataro, joined Barcelona’s youth system at the age of six and moved into the club’s academy permanently at 12. While there is a photo of Yamal and Messi, now with Inter Miami, crossing paths near the training ground around that time, they are not believed to have met since. Sources close to both players indicate that this is not unusual given their busy schedules and living on different continents.
When Yamal’s talent began to emerge, Adidas sponsored him, including a video message from Messi, who was already associated with the kit manufacturer. However, they did not physically meet. Circumstances have also prevented them from coinciding at major individual football awards ceremonies. Yamal did meet Neymar, a former Barcelona star, at the Globe Soccer Awards in December 2024, forming an instant connection. Yamal later spent time at Neymar’s personal resort in Rio de Janeiro during his holidays.
A planned Finalissima exhibition game between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina in Qatar in March was canceled due to geopolitical conflicts, preventing an earlier meeting between Messi and Yamal. The FIFA seeding system for the World Cup meant that Spain and Argentina could only face each other in the final if both teams topped their respective groups.
When Yamal was given Barcelona’s No. 10 shirt in July last year, there was no collaboration or connection between him and Messi. This is partly attributed to Messi’s complex relationship with Barcelona’s leadership following his abrupt exit in 2021. Yamal’s impressive performances, including scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists in 45 games for Barcelona this past club season, have led to comparisons with Messi.
However, Yamal has consistently avoided comparisons, stating in April 2025 that he does not wish to compare himself with anyone, especially Messi.
Source: apnews.com
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