It's Incredible, It's Just Insane: Messi Reacts To Childhood Photo With Lamine Yamal

A forgotten charity photograph from 2007 has become football's biggest talking point ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final , with Lionel Messi calling it " crazy ," " incredible ," and " just insane " that the baby he once held is now his opponent, Lamine Yamal .

Speaking alongside Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest in New York, Messi said, "That picture with Lamine, now we're facing each other in a World Cup final after a photo was taken when he was a baby. It's just insane." He added, "It's crazy, it's incredible," admitting nobody could have imagined such a twist of fate.

Messi also praised the 19 year old Spain star, calling him "one of the best players in the world." He said Yamal has already achieved remarkable things with Barcelona and Spain, adding, "He has a chance to achieve something historic. We're going to try to make sure that doesn't happen this time."

The iconic image was captured in September 2007 for a Diario Sport and UNICEF charity calendar after Yamal's mother, Sheila Ebana , won a community raffle. Photographer Joan Monfort recalled that Messi, then just 20, was shy and initially uncomfortable holding an unfamiliar baby. "It was complicated," Monfort said, before describing the image as "a true miracle of destiny."

The photograph remained hidden for nearly 17 years until Yamal's father shared it during Euro 2024 with the caption, "The beginning of two legends," sending it viral worldwide.

Now, 39 year old Messi could be playing the final World Cup match of his legendary career, while Yamal represents football's next generation. What began as an ordinary charity photoshoot has become one of the sport's most remarkable stories.