The Viral Photo and the Final Showdown

When Argentina and Spain meet in the World Cup final on Sunday, two players will share the pitch who first crossed paths nearly two decades ago. Lionel Messi, now 39, and Lamine Yamal, 19, are set to face each other in the sport's biggest match, a confrontation made all the more notable by a photograph that has resurfaced and gone viral: Messi bathing a baby Yamal during a charity photoshoot in 2007.

The image, taken by photographer Joan Monfort, shows a smiling 20-year-old Messi cradling and bathing a five-month-old Yamal. As reported by Al Jazeera, the image has spread widely online as the two players prepare to play against each other in the final. The Buenos Aires Times describes the meeting as a remarkable coincidence that has strengthened the connection between the two stars.

How the Two Met

In 2007, a charity photoshoot brought together a young Barcelona prospect and a baby. At the time, Messi had recently become a regular starter for the Catalan club, while Yamal was only months old. The photographs were taken by Monfort, who spoke to the BBC about the encounter.

"It is a true miracle of destiny," Monfort told BBC Sport. "It is serendipity - when you find something extra special, so much bigger than you ever thought. If you wrote this in a film it would not seem possible."

The photos resurfaced two years ago when Yamal helped Spain win Euro 2024, after his father posted one online with the caption "The beginning of two legends," according to the BBC.

The Buenos Aires Times notes that Yamal has always regarded Messi as a role model. "In every match he proves he's the greatest of all time. If anyone still has doubts, it's because they're looking for them," Yamal said of Messi during the tournament.

Two Generations of Barcelona Talent

Both players emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and went on to become stars for the club before leading their respective national teams. Messi, at 39, is playing in his sixth World Cup and, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times, remains a leader for Argentina, with eight goals and four assists in the tournament, tying him for the Golden Boot lead with France's Kylian Mbappé.

Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has already scored 56 career goals and won La Liga three times, the Copa del Rey once, and Euro 2024, as the BBC reported. In this World Cup, the Buenos Aires Times notes, Yamal has scored just once.

Key Claims

  • Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final; the two were brought together in a charity photoshoot in 2007, as reported by Al Jazeera, BBC, and the Buenos Aires Times.
  • The photo of Messi bathing a baby Yamal has gone viral, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Yamal has always regarded Messi as a role model, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times.
  • Messi is 39 and still playing at a high level, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times and BBC.
  • Yamal has scored just once in the tournament, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times.
  • Yamal's full name is Lamine Yamal Naraoui Ebana, as reported by the BBC.