Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

A famous charity photoshoot nearly 20 years ago predicted the two stars of the 2026 World Cup final.

35 across the spectrum. Choose a side on the bar to jump to it.

National story. 88 articles from 35 sources. Updated Jul 20, 2026.

Part of The 2026 World Cup knockout rounds and Spain's win over Argentina

How each side is putting it

Left

6 sources
Ran by 9 outlets across the spectrum· Seattle Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, +1 more
Seattle TimesLean Left· Jul 18, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Jul 17, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

BostonLean Left· Jul 17, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Kokomo TribuneLean Left· Jul 18, 2026

Messi once held baby Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Jul 17, 2026· ran in 9 outlets

World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer's top title

The Boston GlobeLean Left· Jul 17, 2026

Twenty years ago, Lionel Messi was photographed with a baby … who grew up to face him in a World Cup final

amNewYorkLean Left· Jul 16, 2026

2026 WORLD CUP FINAL: The Messi, Yamal story comes full circle in New York

Center

21 sources
BBC NewsCenter· Jul 20, 2026

Lamine Yamal completes football at 19 as Argentina betray Messi

ForbesCenter· Jul 19, 2026

UNICEF Photo Showing Lionel Messi Bathing Baby Lamine Yamal Goes Viral

France 24Center· Jul 19, 2026

World Cup 2026: Do supporters prefer Lamine Yamal or Lionel Messi?

BBC NewsCenter· Jul 18, 2026

Messi and Brady in disbelief over 'prophetic' Lamine Yamal photo

NBC New YorkLean Left· Jul 18, 2026

Lionel Messi finally addresses iconic photo of him bathing baby Lamine Yamal: ‘It's craziness'

Right

8 sources
New York PostLean Right· Jul 19, 2026

Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi share heartfelt moment after Spain’s World Cup win

New York PostLean Right· Jul 19, 2026

Lamine Yamal is ready to play for Spain —not against his childhood hero, Lionel Messi

New York PostLean Right· Jul 18, 2026

Lionel Messi explains baby photo with Lamine Yamal

Ran by 9 outlets across the spectrum· The Times Gazette, Jonesboro Sun, +1 more
The Times GazetteLean Right· Jul 18, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Jonesboro SunLean Right· Jul 17, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

High Point EnterpriseLean Right· Jul 17, 2026

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

Ran by 9 outlets across the spectrum· Winchester Star, Daily Journal, +1 more
Winchester StarLean Right· Jul 17, 2026

World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer's top title

Daily JournalLean Right· Jul 17, 2026

World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer’s top title

Green Field ReporterLean Right· Jul 17, 2026

World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer’s top title

The story so far

3 developments
  1. Jul 16Lionel Messi held him as a baby. Now, he faces Lamine Yamal in a World Cup final
  2. Jul 17World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer’s top title
  3. Jul 19Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi share heartfelt moment after Spain’s World Cup win

Who covered each development

No new developments

Quiet for 91 days

Last development · Jul 19 — Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi share heartfelt moment after Spain’s World Cup win

The bigger story