Lionel Messi has reflected on the much-shared 2007 photo of him bathing baby Lamine Yamal, calling it “incredible” as Argentina prepare to meet Spain in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup final.
The Argentina skipper, now 39, is set to come up against Spain’s 19-year-old star at senior international level for the first time. Their story stretches back almost 20 years to a charity calendar shoot at Camp Nou, where Messi and a six-month-old Yamal were brought together unexpectedly.
That now-famous image was captured in 2007, when Messi was just 20, as part of a collaboration between local newspaper Sport and UNICEF. The picture has since taken on a life of its own, turning into one of the most shared football images online as the World Cup final approaches.
“That photo is incredible,” Messi told ESPN on Friday. “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.”
Speaking during FIFA’s Fanatics Fest in New York, Messi spoke highly of Yamal’s rise and current form, but stressed that his priority is leading Argentina to victory in the final.
“He’s one of the best in the world right now,” Messi said. “I wish him luck because his success will be Barcelona’s success, but we’ll try to keep him from playing at his best. Spain has a great team, not just him. We have our own weapons, too.”
Messi also made clear that, despite his respect for the teenager, Argentina will do everything possible to stop Spain from taking the title.
“He’s a tremendous player… a global star,” Messi said. “He’s 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him. I wish him the best, but we’ll give it our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time.”
Joan Monfort, the photographer who took the original picture, said interest in the image has surged since it became clear Messi and Yamal would meet in the final. He added that the tournament’s staging in the United States has only increased attention around it.
“The photo has exploded all over the world, and the fact that the final is in the U.S. has given it an extra push,” Monfort said. “And now this has culminated with the final between Messi and Yamal. It is better than any film script.”
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino revealed that when he first saw the photo circulating online, he assumed it was fake.
“The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn’t even real,” Merino said.
“It’s unbelievable that two of the best players to have played the game, and hopefully Lamine, in the future, will be one of those, share a picture like that. Hopefully we’re going to see a very bright final with those two protagonists at their best, playing and giving all the fans a great spectacle.”
Messi heads into the match with eight goals and four assists in the competition and is on course to play in his third World Cup final after previously reaching the showpiece in 2014 and 2022.
He is level with Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as Argentina chase consecutive world titles.
Spain and Argentina had previously been due to face each other in the Finalissima in March in Qatar, but the fixture was called off because of conflict in the Middle East.