Lionel Messi addressed a 2007 photograph that showed him bathing Lamine Yamal as an infant. The image resurfaced as Argentina prepared to face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Photographer Joan Monfort captured the moment during a charity calendar shoot for UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation. Yamal’s family won a raffle. Officials paired the five-month-old baby with the then-20-year-old Messi at Camp Nou.
Monfort recalled that Messi entered the locker room and found a plastic tub with soapy water and the infant.
Messi helped bathe Yamal while the baby’s mother, Sheila Ebana, assisted. The session produced several images, including one where Messi cradled the towel-wrapped child.
Messi spoke about the coincidence in a recent interview. He said, “It’s incredible that we’re here today, Lamine and I, facing each other after a photo was taken of us when he was just a baby. Life is full of surprises. We’ll try to play a great match, but I hope he and his team don’t have their best day.”
The 39-year-old forward led Argentina past England in the semifinals with key assists. He earned man of the match honors. Yamal, now 19, emerged as a star for Spain.
