Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other in the World Cup final on Monday, July 20, a matchup preceded by a 2007 photograph showing a 20-year-old Messi bathing a six-month-old Yamal. Photographer Joan Monfort captured the image for a UNICEF and Sport newspaper charity calendar, a coincidence that has now gone viral as the two stars meet on the sport’s biggest stage.
The 2007 Charity Photo That Predicted a Football Dynasty
In September 2007, freelance photojournalist Joan Monfort shot a series of images in Mataró, near Barcelona, for a charity project. According to Monfort, the infant in the plastic bathtub was Lamine Yamal, whose mother, Sheila Ebana, had won a raffle to participate in the shoot. The pairing with Lionel Messi was a matter of chance, but the resulting images—showing Messi with soap suds on his hands—have become a focal point of the narrative leading into the final.
Monfort told The Associated Press that he didn’t consider the photos significant at the time. He only recalled the images after Yamal’s father shared one on social media during the 2024 European Championship, where the teenage Yamal helped lead Spain to a title.
Did you know? The photo session was part of a collaborative effort between the local newspaper Sport and UNICEF to produce a charity calendar.
From Barcelona’s Heartbreak to Yamal’s Ascent
The trajectory of these two players mirrors the recent history of FC Barcelona. Messi departed the club in 2021 under the weight of severe financial instability. Two years later, Lamine Yamal erupted at the club.
Now 19, Yamal faces a Messi who is 20 years his senior. Spain teammate Mikel Merino noted the surreal nature of the connection, stating to reporters that he initially thought the photo was AI-generated because the coincidence seemed “unbelievable.”
Global Virality and the ‘Film Script’ Effect
The images have seen a massive spike in interest as the final approaches. Monfort told The Associated Press that the event’s location in the United States has given the story “extra push,” describing the coincidence as “better than any film script.”
While the images have brought global attention to Monfort’s work, he noted that many media outlets and social media users have reproduced the photos without providing credit or compensation.
A Divided Loyalty in Barcelona
The matchup creates a complex emotional landscape for fans in Barcelona. Monfort, a lifelong supporter of the club, says his heart is split. While he maintains an “everlasting love” for Messi, he views Yamal as a symbol of a “new, diverse Spain,” citing the player’s parents from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.
Comparison: The Two Protagonists
| Feature | Lionel Messi | Lamine Yamal |
|---|---|---|
| Role in 2007 Photo | 20-year-old | 6-month-old infant |
| Current Status | Argentina / Inter Miami | Spain / Barcelona |
| Career Stage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who took the photo of Messi and Yamal?
The photos were taken by freelance photojournalist Joan Monfort in 2007.
Why were they taking the photos?
The session was for a charity calendar produced by the newspaper Sport and UNICEF.
When is the World Cup final?
The final takes place on Monday, July 20, featuring Argentina and Spain.
Who do you think will prevail in this clash of generations? Share your predictions in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into football’s most iconic stories.