Is Lionel Messi's photo of bathing Lamine Yamal real? What's the backstory behind viral picture before World Cup final?

Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi are set to face each other on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New York as defending champions Argentina and Spain vie for the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy. But more than it being an Argentina vs Spain World Cup final, the spotlight will be on Yamal and Messi.

While Yamal is playing in his first World Cup, the 39-year-old Messi just played in his sixth World Cup and probably the last. But what is making the headlines is a photo of both where Messi was seen bathing Yamal, which now feels too incredible to be true.

In the photo, a young Messi was carrying Yamal, who was months old back then, in his arms. Another picture from the same moment captured Messi bathing Yamal in a small bathtub. For years, many believed that the pictures were fake or generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). In reality, the story behind the pictures is completely true and happened for a noble cause.

Real story behind Messi-Yamal bathing photo

The photos were taken as part of a 2008 charity calendar shoot in collaboration between FC Barcelona Foundation and Diario Sport, in favour of UNICEF. “The photo exists and so does the calendar,” Laia Ruich, UNICEF's Catalonia Committee Coordinator, said in a video posted on UNICEF's verified Facebook page on 12 July 2024.

“It is a part of a 2008 calendar collaboration between FC Barcelona Foundation and Diario Sport, in favour of UNICEF. 50% of the sales of this calendar went to UNICEF to contribute to the projects of our organisation, which supports children's rights,” Ruich said in the video.

The iconic photo was captured by Joan Monfort. The image of Messi bathing Yamal in front of the latter's mother was published on the January page of the 2008 calendar. According to Ruich, Monfort said that Yamal stole Messi's heart because the Spaniard was always smiling and was very nice throughout the photoshoot.

Not just Messi, but the likes of then-Barcelona stars Ronaldinho, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, also appeared in the following months of the same calendar. Messi has been a UNICEF collaborator since 2004 and in 2010 was appointed as UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador.

At that time, no one would have imagined that Yamal will follow Messi's footsteps to Barcelona and the two would meet in a World Cup final. The photoshoot took place in 2007 when Messi was a 20-year-old youngster trying to make a name in world football, and Yamal was just a few months old.

How did Yamal react to photo with Messi?

During the FIFA World Cup 2026, Yamal was shown the photograph in one of his interviews and asked if he would love to meet Messi in the final. “Yes, I’ve grown a little, and I think Leo has too. I hope it happens. I’d love to face Messi in a World Cup final," Yamal said, with a laugh.

"I don't think anyone minds being compared to the greatest player in history, but in the end those comparisons can hold you back because you'll never be him," Yamal reacted on the constant comparisons of him with Messi.

Spain and Argentina beat expected winners, France and England respectively. France was the favorite to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. Argentina, which won the World Cup in 2022, advanced to the final after Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored goals against England in the closing minutes. The final will be held on Sunday.

Get all updates from FIFA World Cup 2026 here, along with FIFA World Cup 2026 Complete Schedule and FIFA World Cup 2026 Points Table.