Throwback photo of Messi bathing baby Yamal resurfaces before World Cup final
By Ayobami Okerinde
A photograph taken 19 years ago showing Lionel Messi bathing an infant Lamine Yamal has resurfaced online ahead of Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
Messi, Argentina’s captain, will face Yamal, Spain’s teenage star, in what will be the first World Cup final meeting between the two.
The image was captured in 2007 during a charity calendar project organised by Barcelona in partnership with a local newspaper has regained attention after both footballers led their countries to the World Cup final.
The photograph shows a teenage Messi, then a promising Barcelona academy graduate, cradling and bathing baby Yamal during the charity photoshoot.
The image first attracted global attention in 2024 as Yamal’s rise with Barcelona and Spain gathered pace. It has now resurfaced once more ahead of the World Cup final, drawing fresh reactions from football fans.
In the first semi-final played on Tuesday, Spain defeated France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final for the first time in 16 years and the second in the country’s history.
In the second game played on Wednesday, Messi inspired Argentina’s 2-1 comeback win against England, providing the assists for both goals.
Spain and Argentina will meet in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July (8p.m. Nigerian time).
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