Messi and Yamal could turn a 2007 photograph into a World Cup final story

ARLINGTON: A photograph taken during a Unicef charity shoot in 2007 has taken on renewed significance ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, where Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal could face each other for Argentina and Spain on Sunday.

At the time, Messi was a 20-year-old Barcelona player still building his reputation, while Yamal was a six-month-old baby. During the photoshoot, Messi held and bathed the infant in a small plastic tub. Nearly two decades later, that image has resurfaced as a striking link between two players who may now meet on football’s biggest stage.

The connection between them extends beyond the photograph. Both emerged from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, both are left-footed attacking players, and both have worn the number 10 shirt for the club. They have also become central creative figures for their national teams. Yet their paths have unfolded differently.

Messi’s rise developed over time before he went on to dominate world football and finally lead Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 at the age of 35. Yamal’s ascent has come much earlier. At 17, he helped Spain win Euro 2024, becoming the youngest player to win the European Championship and earning the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Different careers, shared stage

The article notes that Messi arrived at La Masia from Rosario while managing growth hormone deficiency, whereas Yamal progressed through the academy in an era in which every major youth performance is quickly amplified globally. Messi’s path to the top was gradual before becoming relentless, while Yamal has reached the highest levels at an unusually early age.

Their styles have also been described as distinct despite the obvious comparisons. Messi’s game has long been defined by acceleration, close control, vision and passing, while Yamal has built his own profile as a right-sided attacker capable of creating chances, beating defenders and producing decisive moments with unusual assurance for his age.

Messi has publicly acknowledged a resemblance in Yamal’s early development. He said:

From the new generation of players, I think Lamine Yamal is the one who reminds me the most of myself when I started,

He added:

I have no doubt, for me Lamine is the best of this new generation … because of what he has done so far and the future he could go on to have.

Yamal, for his part, has rejected direct comparisons with the Argentine and has instead spoken of his admiration for him. Referring to Messi, Yamal said:

I think that in every match he shows that he is the best player in history,

He added:

If someone has doubts, it is because they are looking for them. For me, he is the best.

And when asked about comparisons between the two, Yamal said:

I don’t compare myself to him, because I don’t compare myself to anyone — and much less with Messi … I’m going to enjoy myself, and be myself.

Caution over comparisons

Others close to both players have also underlined that the similarities should not erase the differences. Luis Suarez, who played with Messi and also alongside Yamal at Barcelona, described the comparison as one of the same but different, saying they share a rare left foot but are ultimately completely different players.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has also warned against drawing easy parallels. Speaking about Yamal, he said:

The worst mistake we could make would be to compare him to anyone,

He added:

Messi has been, is and will always be … he is football.

If the final brings them together, Messi would arrive with his place in football history already secure, having won the sport’s biggest honours including the World Cup. Yamal, however, would not be entering as an unproven talent, but as a European champion who had already helped Spain win a major international title before turning 18.

The possible meeting has therefore come to symbolise more than a compelling final. It would place two generations shaped by La Masia on the same field, linking a 2007 charity photograph with a World Cup title match in 2026.