The stage is set for a World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and for one of football’s most remarkable full-circle moments.
The Photo That Connected Two Generations
Fans have rediscovered a photograph taken almost 20 years ago showing Lionel Messi, then a 20-year-old rising star at Barcelona, holding an infant Lamine Yamal during a Barcelona charity photoshoot.
Speaking at a press conference before the final, Messi said: “That picture with Lamine, it’s something crazy. Life is full of surprises!
“Now we are facing each other in a final after a photo was taken of us when he was a baby, it’s just insane!”
How A UNICEF Photoshoot Became Football History
The photo was taken by Joan Monfort in the away dressing room at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium, according to the BBC. Lamine’s family had won a raffle organised by Spanish sports newspaper Diario Sport in 2007 to raise money for UNICEF, which was then a sponsor of Barcelona.
Yamal would go on to graduate from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, inherit Messi’s number 10 shirt and become one of the most exciting young players in the world. Many have already described him as the player most likely to succeed Messi as football's leading star.
Lamine’s father Mounir Nasroui posted one of the photos on Instagram after Spain won Euros 2024, with the caption: “el comienzo de dos leyendas”.
Now, they are set to meet on the pitch for the first time at a World Cup final.
How Lionel Messi Inspired Lamine Yamal's Rise
Coming through the ranks at Barcelona, Yamal would have grown up watching Messi. They are both left-footed attackers, who create mostly from the right.
Although Lamine has only scored one goal so far, the 19-year-old is a central part of a Spain side that has reached the final unbeaten and conceded only once in seven matches.
Messi has driven Argentina through the tournament with eight goals and four assists.
Argentina had a tougher route to the final, relying on late goals in each of their knockout games against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England.
According to Opta Analyst, Messi topped the charts for the most take-ons over the period of August 2012 until June 2023 in Europe’s big five leagues with 2,586.
What Makes Messi And Yamal So Similar?
Yamal’s game is also based on confronting defenders. In 2024-25, he led Europe’s top five leagues for carries followed by a shot, with 56, and carries followed by a chance created, with 35. He also completed 161 dribbles, 54 more than any other player in those leagues.
This may be the clearest sign of Messi’s influence. However, Lamine has not become a replica.
Messi is more known for bursts of acceleration through central areas. At 39, his influence is spread more evenly between shooting and creating.
Yamal has developed his own game. He often receives wide, and either cuts inside or crosses into the box.
From one Barcelona prodigy to another, the World Cup final will bring two generations together on football’s biggest stage.
