Messi and Yamal to meet in World Cup final after nearly two decades since first encounter

By Rohan Gupta — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, marking a reunion nearly two decades after their initial meeting. The upcoming match will see Messi, representing Argentina, play against Yamal, who will be on the field for Spain.

Their first encounter occurred in 2007 when Messi, then a 20-year-old player for FC Barcelona, participated in a photoshoot with baby Yamal. The event took place at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s stadium, as part of a charity calendar project. Yamal’s parents, Sheila Ebana and Mounir Nasraoui, had won a raffle organised by UNICEF, which granted them the opportunity for a photo session with a Barcelona player.

The photoshoot involved Messi holding baby Yamal in a plastic tub filled with water. Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the images, noted that Messi, known for being introverted and shy, initially found it challenging to hold the baby. The photos, taken for a 2008 solidarity calendar by the Barça Foundation in collaboration with a Catalan newspaper and UNICEF, were intended to raise funds for UNICEF and the Barça Foundation’s childhood protection programmes.

These images remained largely unseen until Yamal’s father posted one of them on Instagram in 2024. This post coincided with Yamal’s performance as a breakout star during Spain‘s victorious UEFA European Championship campaign. The caption on the Instagram post read, “the beginning of two legends.” The authenticity of the photos was later confirmed by the Associated Press, which also published additional images from the session.

Yamal, now 19, has since made his debut for Messi’s former club, Barcelona, at an age that set a club record. He has also secured three LaLiga titles and the Euro 2024 trophy with Spain. His performances in the 2026 World Cup have been notable, contributing to Spain’s progression to the final, including winning a penalty kick that helped his team advance.

Messi, who will be 39 at the time of the final, has had a distinguished career, scoring 672 goals for Barcelona and winning multiple Balón d’Or awards. He also led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022. The upcoming final will be the first time Messi and Yamal compete against each other on the field.

A unique football journey

The story of Messi and Yamal’s initial meeting highlights a unique connection between two generations of football talent. Monfort, the photographer, expressed excitement about being associated with the sensation caused by the rediscovered photos, describing it as a “very nice feeling.” He recalled that at the time Yamal’s father posted the images, he was unaware of who the baby had become.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, and will take place at New York-New Jersey Stadium. The match follows Argentina‘s 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-finals. Messi has previously commented on Yamal, stating, “There’s no doubt, for me he’s the best,” when discussing the new generation of footballers.

The final will be a significant event, bringing together a seasoned legend and a rising star in a highly anticipated match.

The path to the final

Yamal’s journey to the World Cup final has seen him make a considerable impact, particularly in the current tournament. He has been instrumental in Spain’s campaign, demonstrating his abilities against various opponents. His record-breaking debut for Barcelona at a young age underscored his potential, and he has continued to develop into a key player for both club and country.

Messi’s path to the final includes leading Argentina through a challenging tournament, culminating in their recent victory against England. His extensive experience and numerous accolades, including his 2022 World Cup win, position him as one of the sport’s most decorated players. The final will be broadcast on Monday morning.

Source: abc.net.au

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter