Why was Messi bathing Yamal? The viral photo explained after Spain beat Argentina in World Cup final

A CHARITY photoshoot from almost two decades ago took on new meaning after its superstar subjects faced off on football’s biggest stage. Here is the full story behind the picture depicting the moment Lionel Messi first met Lamine Yamal. Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal were first pictured together in 2007 Credit: AP Yamal was just six months old during the photo shoot in Barcelona’s Camp Nou dressing room Credit: AP:Associated Press Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19. Ferran Torres put away the winner in the 106th minute after coming off the bench as Spain dominated. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But long before a ball was kicked, the tournament had already produced one of its strangest viral moments – a photo of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal. What is the story behind the viral Messi and Yamal photo? The image dates back to 2007, when Messi and six-month-old Yamal appeared together in a charity calendar shot at Camp Nou. Yamal’s mum Sheila Ebana participated in the bathing shots and also helped out during the session. The project was produced by Barcelona‘s foundation and the newspaper Sport, in aid of Unicef. Yamal’s family, who lived in the Rocafonda neighbourhood of the nearby town of Mataro, won a place in the shoot through a Unicef raffle. By chance, baby Yamal was paired with Messi, and the two were pictured in the visitors’ dressing room at the stadium. Most read in World Cup Photographer Joan Monfort came up with the idea for the setup after bathing his own young daughter, Jana, the night before. He said: “Remember that Messi is a very introverted person, even more back then. Yamal’s mum Sheila Ebana was also at the shoot Credit: AP “So, thinking about it, I said, ‘I’ll bring my daughter’s bathtub, the rubber duck and that’s a good way they can interact.’ “He was rigid and tense, and thanks to the mother, things began to relax and he got the hang of it. “Then he became an expert. Truth is, it’s quite an image… not everyone has been bathed by Messi, right?” Why did the photo go viral again? The image first spread during Euro 2024, when Yamal became the youngest player to appear at a European Championship, after his father Mounir Nasraoui posted it on social media. He took to Instagram to post the picture with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.” It resurfaced again when it became clear Argentina and Spain could meet in the World Cup final. Monfort said “the coincidence is beyond all reasonable explanations” before adding: “I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts.” He also told BBC Sport: “It is a true miracle of destiny. “It is serendipity – when you find something extra special, so much bigger than you ever thought. “If you wrote this in a film it would not seem possible.” What have Messi and Yamal said about it? Messi spoke warmly about the photo in the buildup to the final, telling NFL legend Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest in New York: “That picture with Lamine, now we are facing in a final after a photo was taken of when he was a baby.” He continued: “Lamine is truly amazing. I’ve followed him a lot because he plays for a club I love so much. Yamal and Messi shared a hug after the whistle at the World Cup final Credit: Reuters “He has a chance to achieve something historic – we’re going to try to make sure that doesn’t happen this time.” Yamal told Spanish channel Jijantes: “Obviously, in the moment the photos were taken, I wasn’t conscious of what was going on at that age. “My dad had the photos saved, and they never came out, basically because we didn’t want comparisons with Messi. “No one would be annoyed to be compared with the best to ever play the game, but it’s something that could work against you because you’re never going to be like him.” Both men have gone on to become Unicef Goodwill Ambassadors, Messi since 2010, with Yamal joining him in June 2026. Yamal said: “Growing up, all I had was a family, a ball, a park and a dream. Playing football gave me structure, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future. “I know how important it is for children to have a safe place to play, so that they can simply enjoy being children, discovering the world, imagining and growing.” Unicef helpfully confirmed the authenticity of the sensational snaps, posting on X: “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.” Unicef Catalonia’s Laia Ruich also said: “The photographer, Joan Monfort, has said that Lamine Yamal stole Messi’s heart because he was always smiling.” Comment now