Ololade Adeyanju/
As football fans count down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between defending champions Argentina and Spain, UNICEF has reignited one of the game’s most remarkable stories by confirming that the now-viral photographs showing Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal more than 18 years ago are authentic.
The organisation shared the images on X at a moment when the two players, now the biggest stars of their respective countries, are preparing to lead Argentina and Spain into what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated World Cup finals in recent history.
The timing of the post has added another layer of emotion and symbolism to a fixture already rich in narrative. What was once an ordinary charity fundraising photoshoot has become a striking snapshot of football history, with one generation’s greatest player unknowingly cradling another who would one day emerge as his rival on the sport’s biggest stage.
Confirming the authenticity of the photographs, UNICEF wrote: “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 and advocate for children around the world.
“The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential.
“We are proud to have them on our team.”
The organisation also credited the photographs to photographer, Joan Monfort.
The photographs have circulated for years, but they have enjoyed renewed global attention as Yamal’s astonishing rise has coincided with Messi’s enduring brilliance.
Their impending meeting in the World Cup final has transformed the images from an amusing curiosity into one of football’s most compelling full-circle moments.
The pictures show a young Messi, then beginning to establish himself at Barcelona, carefully bathing and holding an infant Yamal during a UNICEF charity calendar photoshoot. At the time, nobody could have imagined that the baby would grow into one of the most gifted footballers of his generation.
Now, the pair stand on opposite sides of the World Cup final, each carrying the hopes of their nation.
Beyond the symbolism, UNICEF also used the moment to highlight a message that extends far beyond football. While millions know Messi and Yamal for their exploits on the pitch, the organisation stressed that both have also embraced roles as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, using their influence to campaign for children’s rights and welfare across the world.
By reviving the photographs on the eve of the final, UNICEF turned one of football’s favourite internet stories into a reminder of its mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.
For supporters, however, the images have become something even more extraordinary. What began as a charity fundraiser has become a visual metaphor for football’s passing of the torch, with the sport’s most celebrated icon unknowingly sharing a moment with the child many believe could define its next era.
When the referee blows the whistle for the World Cup final, the heart-warming photograph will belong to history. The contest between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will determine who writes the next chapter.
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