Messi and Yamal: A twist of fate from bathtub to World Cup final

By Rohan Gupta — 17 July 2026 — 4 min read

A photograph taken nearly two decades ago, featuring a young Lionel Messi holding an infant Lamine Yamal, has gained significant attention ahead of the World Cup final. The image, initially a part of a charity calendar, now symbolises an unexpected twist of fate as Messi‘s Argentina is set to face Yamal‘s Spain for the coveted trophy.

Photographer Joan Monfort captured the image in 2007 for a charity calendar produced by local newspaper Sport and UNICEF. At the time, Monfort did not foresee the future significance of the photo, which shows a teenage Messi bathing Yamal in a plastic bathtub. The pairing of Yamal with Messi for the photoshoot was a result of a raffle won by Yamal‘s mother, whose family resided in Mataró, near Barcelona.

The photograph remained largely forgotten until Yamal‘s father shared it on social media during the 2024 European Championship. This was when Yamal, then a teenager, was making his international debut. The image quickly went viral, and its popularity has surged further with the impending World Cup final.

Messi, reflecting on the photograph, expressed his surprise at the turn of events. He acknowledged Yamal‘s talent, stating, “He is one of the best players in the world right now, so I wish him the best. He’s only 19 years old and he has all of his future ahead.” Messi added, “That picture, it was crazy. Him as a baby, and now we are facing each other. What a crazy picture. I just wish him the best of luck.”

Mikel Merino, Yamal‘s teammate for Spain, initially thought the photo was a product of artificial intelligence due to its improbable nature. He commented on the unlikelihood of two players, one already a football legend and the other a rising star, sharing such a formative image. Merino hopes for a memorable final featuring both players at their best.

La Masia’s enduring legacy

Both Messi and Yamal are products of Barcelona‘s renowned youth academy, La Masia. This institution, originally an old Catalan farmhouse built in 1702, housed young players from 1979 to 2011. La Masia is celebrated for its role in developing technically gifted footballers and instilling a specific footballing philosophy.

In 2010, La Masia achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first youth academy to have trained all three players on the Ballon d’Or podium: Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta. That same year, Spain‘s sole World Cup victory featured seven Barcelona players in the starting lineup for the final, six of whom were La Masia graduates.

The academy’s influence extends beyond individual players, shaping Barcelona‘s identity and contributing to a global diaspora of players, coaches, and executives. This philosophy, known as Total Football, was introduced to Barcelona by Rinus Michels from Ajax and further developed by Johan Cruyff.

Total Football emphasises players interchanging positions while maintaining team structure, requiring each player to understand multiple roles. Cruyff‘s return as manager in 1988 led to four consecutive league titles and Barcelona‘s first European Cup in 1992. Under his guidance, the academy prioritised technical intelligence over physical attributes.

Yamal‘s emergence is seen by some as a reflection of Barcelona‘s renewed focus on La Masia, particularly after the club faced financial challenges. The current World Cup final squads include nine academy graduates, with eight representing Spain and Messi playing for Argentina.

A divided loyalty for fans

For many Barcelona supporters, including photographer Joan Monfort, the upcoming final presents a dilemma of divided loyalties. Fans in Barcelona are often seen wearing shirts of both Yamal‘s Barcelona and Spain, as well as Messi‘s various club and national team jerseys.

Monfort, a lifelong Barcelona supporter, expressed his internal conflict, stating, “My heart is split. I don’t know if I want Messi or Yamal to win.” He acknowledged his enduring admiration for Messi, whom he considers the greatest player of all time, while also recognising Yamal as a groundbreaking talent representing a diverse Spain. Monfort even suggested the possibility of both players somehow achieving a form of victory, given the extraordinary circumstances.

The narrative surrounding the photograph and the upcoming final has been described as being “better than any film script” by Monfort. The interest in his images has “exploded all over the world,” particularly with the final being held in the U.S.

The journey from a baby in a bathtub to a participant in the World Cup final highlights the remarkable trajectory of Lamine Yamal‘s career. The player Yamal will face Messi, who is 20 years his senior, in the final match on Sunday.

Source: apnews.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter