Messi and Yamal's Serendipitous First Meeting 18 Years Before World Cup Final
A 2007 UNICEF calendar photoshoot brought together a 20-year-old Lionel Messi and a 5-month-old Lamine Yamal, who now face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Photographer Joan Monfort captured the images at FC Barcelona's facilities after Yamal's family won a raffle. Messi, shy and introverted, was seen bathing and holding the swaddled baby. Yamal's father posted the photo in 2024, calling it 'the beginning of two legends.' The match takes place July 19 at Metlife Stadium.
Key facts
- Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal first met in 2007 for a UNICEF calendar photoshoot.
- Yamal was 5 months old at the time; Messi was 20 years old.
- The photos were taken by Joan Monfort at FC Barcelona's facilities.
- Yamal's family won a raffle to participate in the UNICEF calendar.
- Messi was described as shy and introverted during the shoot.
- The photo resurfaced in 2024 when Yamal's father posted it on Instagram.
- Messi and Yamal now face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
- The final is on July 19 at Metlife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium).
Entities
Artists
- Lionel Messi
- Lamine Yamal
- Joan Monfort
Institutions
- UNICEF
- FC Barcelona
- BBC Sport
- Fox
- Telemundo
Locations
- Rocafonda
- Mataró
- Barcelona
- Spain
- New York New Jersey Stadium
- Metlife Stadium