Photos of Messi with Lamine Yamal, when Yamal was just five months old, have unexpectedly resurfaced, as the two players prepare to face each other in the final match between Spain and Argentina on 19/7 in the US (20/7, Hanoi time).

According to Spain's El Pais, the series of photos originated in 2007 and were largely forgotten until Yamal's father reposted them during Euro 2024. The child in the pictures is now a new-generation star, while Messi has cemented his legacy as a contemporary football icon.

The photo series was part of a charity calendar by Barcelona Football Club, in collaboration with the sports newspaper Diario Sport, to raise funds for UNICEF. 50% of calendar sales supported projects promoting children's rights. At the time, families with young children entered a lottery to be photographed with Barcelona players at Camp Nou. Messi was then a young player, not yet widely known.

Messi bathing Yamal in 2007 at Camp Nou. *Photo: Diario Sport*

In some pictures, Yamal is in a blue bathtub, with Messi, hands covered in soap, gently caring for the baby. In another, the baby is wrapped in a towel, cradled in Messi's arms.

Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the images, stated he used a blue plastic tub, recalling bathing his daughter the previous evening. At that time, Messi was years away from fatherhood and a reserved young man. He was quite awkward interacting with children. Messi entered the changing room to find a plastic tub with a baby inside.

Oriol Canals, Diario Sport's marketing manager, recalled, "He was more drawn to the baby than the camera." Initially, Messi was unsure how to hold Yamal and was very cautious. Yamal's mother, Sheila Ebanam, guided and assisted the player. The tension eased when photographer Monfort introduced a rubber duck. Messi took the duck and played with Yamal, and both smiled.

"It was a difficult shoot. Messi was shier then than he is now. But he was professional, calm, patient, and cheerful, which made everything go smoothly. Holding a baby wasn't his forte, but he did very well," Monfort recounted to El Pais after the photo went viral.

Messi holding young Yamal in his arms. *Photo: Diario Sport*

Yamal once spoke about the photos on DAZN: "I've grown, and so has Leo. I hope I can face him in a final someday, as it didn't happen in the Finalissima." Yamal referred to the Intercontinental Supercup match between Argentina and Spain in 2025, which was canceled due to the two sides failing to agree on a venue and scheduling conflicts.

Over the past few years, fans have frequently compared Yamal and Messi as two symbols of successive football generations. Both play on the right wing, are left-footed, and possess a highly technical playing style with exceptional dribbling ability. Yamal has admitted being influenced by Messi and envisions his career having similarities to the veteran player's.

Their coincidences extend to symbolic details: Both wore the number 19 jersey in their early national team appearances, later donning the number 10 when playing for Barcelona.

After Messi left Barcelona in 2021, the club and fans awaited a new face to fill the significant professional and emotional void he left. Yamal, with his explosive talent from a very young age, is seen as the one reigniting that hope and opening a new chapter for Barcelona.

The World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, US. Argentina enters the match as the reigning world champion. Spain is making its first final appearance since winning the championship in 2010.

Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna, and many artists will perform at the halftime show, expected to last 30 minutes. Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed will also participate in the closing ceremony.

Thanh Thanh (according to El Pais)