Lionel Messi explains viral baby photo with Lamine Yamal

Lionel Messi has shared the story behind the viral photograph of him holding Spain star Lamine Yamal as a baby, calling the full-circle moment "crazy" ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday, days before Argentina face Spain in Sunday's final, the Argentina captain reflected on the image that resurfaced in recent years and captured fans' imagination.

Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady asked Messi what the now-famous photo meant to him, noting how remarkable it was that the pair would meet again on football's biggest stage.

Messi praises Yamal's rise to stardom

Messi described Yamal as one of the world's top players despite being just 19 years old and said he has followed the Barcelona winger's rapid rise with admiration.

"I always wish him the best," Messi said in Spanish. "He is one of the leaders worldwide at 19 years old, and he has his whole career ahead of him."

The Inter Miami forward added that Yamal has the chance to achieve something historic if Spain lift the World Cup trophy.

How the viral photo was taken

The iconic image dates back to 2007, when Messi was a 20-year-old Barcelona star taking part in a charity photoshoot at Camp Nou.

During the event, Messi posed with six-month-old Yamal, even helping bathe the infant while posing alongside a rubber duck.

Reflecting on the photograph, Messi said: "That photo with Lamine is so crazy. That's life. I had a photo with him when he was a baby, and now we're facing each other in a World Cup."

He added that Yamal is "one of the best in the world at the moment" and wished him success, saying Barcelona would also benefit from the teenager's continued development.

Photo resurfaced before World Cup clash

The images gained worldwide attention in 2024 after Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared one on Instagram with the caption, "The beginning of two legends."

Yamal has since become one of football's brightest young stars, helping Spain win the 2024 UEFA European Championship before leading his country to the 2026 World Cup final.

Argentina and Spain will meet in Sunday's World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium, with the iconic photograph adding another memorable chapter to the story of Messi and Yamal.