A photograph of Lionel Messi bathing a three-month-old Lamine Yamal has become one of football’s most talked-about images ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with many social media users initially dismissing it as artificial intelligence-generated or digitally manipulated.
The image, however, is genuine.
It was taken in 2007 during a charity photo shoot organised by the FC Barcelona Foundation and Catalan newspaper SPORT to raise funds for UNICEF.
Nearly two decades later, the photograph has taken on new significance as Messi and Yamal prepare to face each other for the first time when defending champions Argentina take on Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final.
The image, which resurfaced in 2024 and quickly went viral, shows a 19-year-old Messi carefully bathing baby Yamal during the calendar shoot.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the now-iconic moment, said its significance was beyond anything anyone involved could have imagined.
“It was no coincidence, it was a miracle,” Monfort told FIFA.
According to FIFA, the annual charity calendar featured Barcelona players posing with children to support UNICEF fundraising efforts.
Oriol Canals, who worked in SPORT’s marketing department at the time, recalled that the newspaper initially used children of staff members, friends and relatives before deciding the project should better reflect the diversity of Catalan society.
Yamal’s family, who participated in a UNICEF community project in the Rocafonda neighbourhood of Mataró, won a raffle that gave their newborn son the opportunity to be photographed with a Barcelona first-team player.
The player could have been any member of the squad—including Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry, Eric Abidal or Víctor Valdés—but fate paired the family with Messi.
Yamal, who was born on July 13, 2007, was just over three months old when his mother, Sheila, brought him into Barcelona’s dressing room at Camp Nou on October 31 for the 30-minute photo session.
Canals recalled that the young Messi appeared uncomfortable holding the baby.
“Messi was as stiff as a broom. I suppose that was because he’d never held a baby in his life,” he said.
Monfort remembered the Argentine star as quiet and reserved.
“Messi was 19 and even shyer and more introverted back then,” he said, recalling the nervous expression on the teenager’s face when he saw the set-up.
The photographer also revealed that he used a plastic duck borrowed from his daughter to make Yamal smile during the shoot, while the bathtub and towel were borrowed from his home.
For years, the photograph remained largely forgotten until Yamal’s father, Mounir, shared it on social media shortly before the teenager helped Spain win UEFA EURO 2024.
Its rediscovery stunned both Monfort and Canals.
“It’s incredible. It’s one of those gifts that life hands you,” Canals said.
“It would be like Michael Jordan bathing LeBron James. It’s unbelievable. At first, people thought it was AI. It’s an extraordinary story.”
Monfort said the image had become something much greater than a simple photograph.
“That photo is etched in my soul. It was a miracle then and it remains one almost 20 years later. It was like writing history before it happened.
“Nobody could have imagined this. Messi became one of the greatest athletes in history, while Lamine emerged as a football phenomenon, winning the Euros at 17 and now facing Messi in a World Cup final at 19.”
Reflecting on the remarkable coincidence, Monfort added: “I’ve never been religious, but I’m beginning to believe there’s something greater than us because the way everything has fallen into place is impossible to explain.
“To think they’ll line up against each other in a World Cup final—one aged 39, the other 19—is the perfect ending to the story.”
ESPN also reported that Messi described it as “crazy” that he would face Yamal in the World Cup final years after unknowingly posing with the future Spain star as a baby.
UNICEF confirms photo’s authenticity
As the image continues to circulate online, UNICEF has again confirmed that the photograph is authentic.
In a post explaining the story behind the image, the organisation said, “Some stories only get better with time.”
It noted that the photograph was taken for a fundraising calendar organised by UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation and highlighted another remarkable connection between the two footballers.
“Last month, Lamine Yamal became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, joining Lionel Messi, who has served in that role since 2010.
“This weekend, they’ll face each other in the FIFA World Cup final, but when it comes to championing children’s rights, they’re on the same team.”
In a separate post, UNICEF reiterated the image’s authenticity.
“Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.
“More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom, Sheila, met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.
“Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support children around the world.
“The goal? That every child survives, thrives and fulfils their potential.
“We are proud to have them on our team.”
