Messi on viral baby Yamal photo: 'That's life' ahead of World Cup final
Synopsis
Nearly two decades after a charity photo shoot in Barcelona, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal meet for the first time on a football pitch — in a World Cup final. The viral 2007 image of Messi cradling a five-month-old Yamal has become one of football's most extraordinary footnotes, and on Sunday it becomes a full-circle moment at the sport's biggest stage.
Key Takeaways
Lionel Messi , 39 , and Lamine Yamal , 19 , face each other in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday — their first-ever competitive meeting.
A 2007 charity calendar photo shoot in Barcelona captured Messi helping bathe a five-month-old Yamal, nearly two decades before the final.
The photo was shared publicly by Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui , during the 2024 European Championship , which Spain won.
Messi called Yamal 'one of the best in the world right now' while also vowing Argentina would prevent him from 'achieving something historic'.
Messi won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022 ; a second title would be his final act at football's summit.
Lionel Messi on Friday reflected on one of football's most remarkable coincidences — a 2007 charity calendar photo shoot in Barcelona where he helped bathe a five-month-old baby who turned out to be Spain forward Lamine Yamal. On Sunday, that same baby will stand across from Messi in a FIFA World Cup final — the first time the two have ever met on a football pitch.
The Photo That Went Viral
The image, taken nearly two decades ago, resurfaced publicly in 2024 when Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it during that year's European Championship — a tournament Spain went on to win, beating England in the final. At the time of the original shoot, Messi was just 20 years old and in the early stages of his career at Barcelona. Yamal, now 19, has since grown into one of the club's most celebrated young talents.
Messi's Words on Yamal
'Honestly, that photo of us is crazy, because, well, that's life, right? I was in that photo with him as a baby, and here we both are, playing in a World Cup final,' Messi said. The Argentina captain, now 39, did not hold back his admiration for the teenager. 'Lamine is a huge talent, someone I've followed a lot because he plays for a club I love, and I always wish him the best, I always want the best for him,' he added.
Messi also acknowledged Yamal's standing in the global game. 'He's already a top player at 19 years of age, and he has his whole career ahead of him,' he said. 'He has a great opportunity to achieve something historic, which we'll try our hardest to make sure doesn't happen this time. I just want to wish him the best.'
Admiration Beyond the Final
Messi was clear that his warm feelings for Yamal extended well beyond Sunday's contest. 'It's crazy. He's one of the best in the world right now, no doubt about it,' he said. 'And I wish him a lot of luck, because what's good for him will also be good for Barcelona.' The remarks underscore a rare dynamic in elite sport — genuine mutual respect between opponents at football's biggest stage.
What Sunday's Final Means
The Argentina vs Spain World Cup final represents a collision of generations: Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of his era, facing a teenager who many believe is being groomed as his successor in global football. This is the first time the two have shared a competitive pitch. Notably, Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022, and a second title at 39 would cement an already unparalleled legacy. For Yamal, a winner's medal at 19 would rank among the most extraordinary individual achievements in the sport's modern history.
Point of View
But the football stakes beneath it are serious. Messi at 39 is almost certainly playing his last World Cup final; Yamal at 19 may be playing his first of several. The generational framing flatters both — but it also obscures a sharp competitive reality: Argentina and Spain are evenly matched, and sentiment will count for nothing on Sunday. What the photo truly captures is how long Messi has been at the summit of the game — long enough for a baby photographed at a charity shoot to grow into a rival capable of dethroning him on the biggest stage in football.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the viral photo of Messi and Lamine Yamal?
It is a 2007 charity calendar photo taken in Barcelona in which a then-20-year-old Lionel Messi helped bathe a five-month-old Lamine Yamal. The image resurfaced in 2024 when Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it publicly during the European Championship.
When is the Argentina vs Spain FIFA World Cup final?
The final is scheduled for Sunday, as confirmed ahead of Messi's pre-match remarks on Friday. It will be the first time Messi and Yamal have faced each other in a competitive match.
What did Messi say about Lamine Yamal before the final?
Messi called Yamal 'a huge talent' and 'one of the best in the world right now,' while also saying Argentina would do everything to prevent him from achieving something historic in the final. He added that what is good for Yamal is also good for Barcelona.
How old are Messi and Yamal at the time of the World Cup final?
Lionel Messi is 39 years old, while Lamine Yamal is 19. The age gap of two decades makes their meeting in a World Cup final one of the most striking generational contrasts in the tournament's recent history.
Did Spain win the 2024 European Championship?
Yes. Spain won the 2024 European Championship, beating England in the final. It was during that tournament that Yamal's father shared the viral 2007 photo of Messi and a baby Yamal publicly.
