As Lionel Messi prepares to face Lamine Yamal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, one image has once again taken over social media.

It shows a young Messi gently holding and bathing a baby who many now claim is none other than Lamine Yamal.

The photo has sparked endless debate online. Some fans insist it's one of football's greatest full-circle moments.

Others are convinced it's an AI creation or a cleverly edited fake designed to go viral.

Image of Messi 'bathing' Lamine Yamal trends ahead of World Cup final

So, what's the real story?

The timing couldn't be more perfect. Nearly two decades after the photograph was taken, Messi and Yamal are set to stand on opposite sides of the biggest football match, with the World Cup trophy on the line.

It's a storyline that almost sounds too unbelievable to be true.

The image first exploded in popularity during Euro 2024 after Yamal's father shared it on social media.


Since then, it has resurfaced every time the Barcelona teenager reaches another milestone, but its return ahead of Sunday's World Cup final has taken the internet by storm.

Adding to the mystery is just how unlikely the scene appears. Why would one of Barcelona's brightest young stars be holding a random baby?

And how did that child end up becoming the player many believe could inherit Messi's football throne?

The answer lies in a charity photoshoot organized by Barcelona and UNICEF back in 2007, where local families were paired with first-team players for a fundraising calendar.

Yamal's family happened to be selected, and the baby matched with Messi was indeed Lamine Yamal.

The remarkable photos were captured by photographer Joan Monfort long before either man could have imagined this moment.

FKA/VPO

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