Messi-Yamal viral photo comes full circle after 18 years

A photograph showing Lionel Messi bathing a four-month-old Lamine Yamal has resurfaced and gone viral again after holders Argentina's dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory over England on Thursday set up a FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain.

The image, which first captured global attention in 2024, has taken on a new meaning as 39-year-old Messi and 19-year-old Yamal prepare to face each other on football's biggest stage -- more than 18 years after their first encounter.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

The photos were taken in December 2007 as part of a Barcelona and UNICEF charity calendar project. Messi, then a teenager beginning to establish himself in Barcelona's senior team, was randomly paired with a baby Yamal during the photoshoot at Camp Nou.

Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, was among the selected participants after UNICEF organised a lottery involving families from Catalonia. The families were invited to the stadium for the charity initiative, where players were paired with children for the calendar.

At the time, Messi was viewed as a rising star destined for greatness. Nearly two decades later, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, while Yamal has emerged as Barcelona's teenage sensation and one of the brightest talents in world football.