20-year-old Lionel Messi embraces Lamine Yamal, who was just six months old at the time, during a photo shoot in September 2007 in the dressing room at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (AP/PTI)
Nearly two decades after a charity photo shoot brought them together, Lionel Messi and Lamin Yamal are set to meet in the 2026 World Cup final, turning one of football’s most unlikely images into reality.At the time, photographer Joan Monfort didn’t think much about the photos he took. They showed 20-year-old Messi helping to bathe a baby Yamal in a small plastic tub during a charity photo shoot. Nearly 20 years later, the two teams will face each other when defending champions Argentina take on European champions Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey’s New York Stadium.The photo spread widely before the final match, and many described it as one of the most notable coincidences in football.“I was never a believer or believe that something was destined to happen, but I began to have doubts. This goes beyond all reasonable explanations,” Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.Messi admitted that he was equally surprised by the way events developed.“That picture with Lamin, we now have a final after taking a picture of him as a kid,” Messi told seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest on Friday.
“It’s just crazy.”
The photo was taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort during a promotional charity shoot when Messi was 20 years old and Yamal was still an infant. Now, the two will be on opposite sides in the biggest match in world football.Messi also spoke of his admiration for Yamal, who now plays for FC Barcelona, the same club where the Argentine spent more than two decades between 2000 and 2021.“Lamin is really amazing,” Messi said. “I followed him a lot because he plays for a team I like very much.
“He has a chance to achieve something historic, and we will try to make sure that does not happen this time.”History is on the line for both players in Sunday’s final.Messi could become the first player to lead a team to win two consecutive FIFA World Cup titles. Meanwhile, Yamal could become the second-youngest player to start and win a World Cup final.For both, the only obstacle is the player standing on the other side.Messi said: “We will try to play a good match, but I hope he and his team do not play a good match.”Argentina booked its place in the final after defeating England in the semi-final, while Spain beat France to set up a title match on Sunday.
