NEW YORK, United States – Argentina captain Lionel Messi has described the famous photo of him bathing a young Lamine Yamal in 2007 as “incredible” ahead of Sunday’s 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
Okay News reports that Messi reflected on the image during an appearance at FIFA’s Fanatics Fest, recalling that he first met Yamal when the Spanish winger was still a baby.
“I took a picture with him when he was a baby … the fact that we’re both playing in the World Cup now is crazy,” Messi said.
The photo was taken during a charity calendar project organised at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou by newspaper Sport and UNICEF. Photographer Joan Monfort captured Messi bathing the six-month-old Yamal during the 2007 shoot.
Sixteen years later, Yamal became a Barcelona star and is now preparing to face 39-year-old Messi in a World Cup final for the first time at international level.
Messi praised the 19-year-old Yamal as one of the best players in the world but warned that Argentina would try to stop him from making the difference in the final.
“He’s a tremendous player … a global star,” Messi said. “I wish him the best, but we’ll give it our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time.”
Monfort said the photograph had attracted global attention, describing the final meeting between Messi and Yamal as a storyline that was “better than any film script.” Spain midfielder Mikel Merino said he initially thought the image had been created using artificial intelligence.
Messi has scored eight goals and provided four assists at the 2026 World Cup and is level with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Argentina will face Spain as they seek to become back-to-back world champions, while the previously planned Finalissima between the two nations was cancelled after being scheduled for March in Qatar.
