Messi first met Yamal as a baby. The World Cup final will be their next meeting

Editor’s Note: This story was first published on July 10, 2024, and has been updated.

Defending champion Argentina has secured its spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against European champion Spain following a thrilling 2-1 victory over England. This matchup sets the stage for a historic encounter between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

At 19, Barcelona’s Yamal will face Messi, the club’s all-time top scorer, for the first time on the field during Sunday’s match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, their paths have crossed before in a poignant moment, though Yamal likely doesn’t recall it, as it occurred when he was just a baby.

Amidst Spain’s impressive UEFA European Championship win, nostalgic photographs have recently resurfaced, showing a young Yamal being held by Messi, who was then a 20-year-old rising star. The images gained attention when shared on Instagram by Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.”

The photographs stem from a charity calendar organized by Diario Sport and UNICEF, featuring Barça players with children and families. Photographer Joan Monfort captured the moment Yamal and his mother, Sheila Ebana, met Messi in the fall of 2007 at Camp Nou. Unbeknownst to them, this meeting would symbolize a passing of the torch in football.

Monfort recalled, “We made the calendar with the help of UNICEF, and they held a raffle in Roca Fonda where Lamine’s family lived. They won the opportunity to take a picture with a Barça player.”

Upon entering the locker room, Messi encountered a baby in a plastic bathtub, an awkward situation for the introverted star. According to Monfort, “Messi didn’t initially know how to hold Yamal.”

Despite this awkward introduction, the influence of their encounter is undeniable. Yamal’s impressive rise to prominence in football includes three LaLiga titles and triumph at Euro 2024 with Spain. He made his debut at just 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old, leading many to see him as Messi’s successor.

While Yamal has a long journey ahead to match Messi’s legacy, defeating him in a World Cup final would be an exceptional start.