Barcelona connection: Messi and Yamal set to meet ...

By Priya Nair — 17 July 2026 — 4 min read

A photograph’s journey from bathtub to World Cup final

A photograph taken nearly two decades ago by photojournalist Joan Monfort, depicting a young Lionel Messi bathing an infant Lamine Yamal, has gained significant attention ahead of the upcoming World Cup final. The image, initially part of a charity calendar in 2007, shows Messi with soap suds on his hands, anointing Yamal, who was then a baby. This image has resurfaced as Messi’s Argentina is set to face Yamal’s Spain in the final match.

Monfort, a freelance photojournalist, captured these moments for a charity calendar produced by local newspaper Sport and UNICEF. The opportunity arose when Yamal’s mother won a raffle for families in Mataró, near Barcelona, to participate in the photoshoot. This chance pairing of the future football star Yamal with Messi, who would become one of the sport’s greatest players, has been described as a remarkable twist of fate.

The photograph was largely forgotten until Yamal’s father posted it on social media during the 2024 European Championship. At that time, Yamal was experiencing an international breakout, helping Spain secure the title. The image went viral, and its popularity has surged further with the impending World Cup final. Monfort noted that the final being held in the U.S. has contributed to the increased global interest, likening the situation to a compelling film script.

Messi himself commented on the photograph, expressing his well wishes for Yamal. He acknowledged the surreal nature of facing the player he once held as a baby, describing it as “crazy.” Mikel Merino, Yamal’s Spain teammate, initially thought the image was AI-generated due to its improbable nature. He expressed hope for a bright final featuring both players.

La Masia’s enduring legacy

Both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are products of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, a renowned institution for developing football talent. La Masia, which translates to “The Farmhouse,” was originally an old Catalan farmhouse built in 1702 that housed young players between 1979 and 2011. It became known for its philosophy of identifying, educating, and promoting technically gifted footballers.

In 2010, La Masia achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first youth academy to have trained all three players on the Ballon d’Or podium: Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta. That same year, Spain won its sole World Cup with seven Barcelona players in the starting lineup for the final, six of whom were La Masia graduates.

The academy’s influence is rooted in the concept of Total Football, brought to Barcelona by Rinus Michels from Ajax, and later championed by Johan Cruyff. This philosophy emphasizes players interchanging positions while maintaining team structure, requiring every footballer to understand multiple roles. Cruyff’s return as manager in 1988 led to four successive league titles and Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992, with the academy increasingly selecting players for their understanding of specific functions.

Yamal’s emergence represents Barcelona’s renewed focus on La Masia, a strategy accelerated after the club faced financial difficulties. The current World Cup final squads include nine academy graduates, with eight playing for Spain and Messi for Argentina. The academy’s training focused on a common footballing tradition: receiving the ball, scanning the field, finding gaps, creating angles, maintaining width, and understanding the importance of space.

A divided loyalty for Barcelona fans

For many Barcelona fans, including photojournalist Joan Monfort, the upcoming World Cup final presents a dilemma due to their affection for both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. It is not uncommon to see children in Barcelona wearing shirts representing both Yamal’s Barcelona and Spain, as well as various Messi shirts from his time at Barcelona, with Argentina, or his current club, Inter Miami.

Monfort, who is 58 years old, is considering attending the final in New Jersey. Regardless of whether he watches it in person or from home, he anticipates difficulty in cheering for a single team. He expressed a deep admiration for Messi, whom he considers the best player of all time. However, he also recognizes Yamal’s significant impact, noting that the young player has “broken the mold” and represents a diverse new Spain, owing to his parents’ origins from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.

The photographer suggested a hopeful outcome, stating, “Maybe they can both win. I wouldn’t rule it out after everything we have seen.” This sentiment reflects the complex emotions of fans who appreciate the contributions of both players to the sport and to Barcelona’s legacy. The final match on Sunday will bring these two players, connected by a unique photograph, onto the same field.