Nearly two decades after an unforgettable charity photo shoot linked their stories, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are preparing to face each other in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, bringing one of football's most iconic images full circle.
In September 2007, photographer Joan Monfort captured a series of photographs showing a 20-year-old Messi gently bathing six-month-old Yamal in a small plastic tub during a charity calendar shoot.
Now, almost 20 years later, the pair will line up on opposite sides as defending champions Argentina face European champions Spain in Sunday's World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The image has gone viral in the lead-up to the final, with fans describing it as one of the sport's most extraordinary coincidences.
"I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts. This is beyond all reasonable explanations," Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.
Messi said he is just as amazed by the remarkable twist of fate.
"That picture with Lamine, now we are facing in a final after a photo was taken of when he was a baby," Messi told seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest on Friday.
"It's just insane."
The now-famous photograph was taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort during the promotional charity session when Messi was only 20 and Yamal was still an infant. This weekend, the two will meet again—this time on football's biggest stage.
Messi also spoke warmly about Yamal, who now represents FC Barcelona, the club where the Argentine spent more than two decades between 2000 and 2021.
"Lamine is truly amazing," Messi said. "I've followed him a lot because he plays for a club I love so much. He has a chance to achieve something historic - we're going to try to make sure that doesn't happen this time."
Both players have history within reach in Sunday's final.
Messi is aiming to become the first footballer to captain a team to consecutive FIFA World Cup titles, while Yamal has the opportunity to become the second-youngest player to start and win a World Cup final.
Only one of them, however, can achieve that milestone.
"We'll try to put on a good match, but I hope he and his team don't put on a good one," Messi said.
Argentina secured their place in the final by defeating England in the semi-finals, while Spain advanced after overcoming France to book their showdown with the reigning world champions.
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