Barcelona connection highlights World Cup final as Messi and Yamal prepare to face off

By Rohan Gupta — 17 July 2026 — 4 min read

A photograph taken almost two decades ago, featuring a young Lionel Messi holding an infant Lamine Yamal, has gained significant attention ahead of the World Cup final. The image, captured in 2007 by photographer Joan Monfort, shows Messi bathing Yamal as part of a charity calendar project. This photograph has become a central talking point as Messi’s Argentina is set to compete against Yamal’s Spain for the trophy.

Monfort, a freelance photojournalist, initially did not consider the photo shoot particularly remarkable. However, the unexpected turn of events, with both individuals now set to play against each other in a major final, has led him to reconsider his views on destiny. He shared that the interest in his photos has surged, especially with the upcoming final.

The original photo was part of a charity calendar for a local newspaper and UNICEF. Yamal’s mother won a raffle that allowed her family to participate, leading to the pairing of the infant Yamal with Messi. This connection has been described as a journey from a bathtub scene to the World Cup final, where the 19-year-old Yamal will face Messi, who is 20 years his senior.

The viral image and its impact

The photograph remained largely forgotten until Yamal’s father posted it on social media during the 2024 European Championship. At that time, Yamal was experiencing an international breakthrough, helping Spain secure the title. The image quickly went viral, and its popularity has further escalated with the World Cup final approaching.

Monfort noted that the global interest in the photo has intensified, particularly with the final being held in the U.S. He described the situation as being more compelling than any film script. The photographer has received numerous inquiries from media outlets while also observing his images being widely shared online without proper attribution or compensation.

Mikel Merino, a teammate of Yamal’s for Spain, expressed his initial disbelief upon seeing the photo, thinking it might be AI-generated. He remarked on the extraordinary nature of two prominent players, with Yamal potentially becoming one of the best, sharing such a picture. Merino anticipates a competitive final featuring both players.

For many Barcelona fans, including Monfort, the situation presents a dilemma due to their affection for both Messi and Yamal. It is common to see children in Barcelona wearing jerseys representing both players, whether from Barcelona, Argentina, Spain, or Messi’s current club, Inter Miami. Monfort, a lifelong Barcelona supporter, finds himself torn between wishing for a win for Messi or Yamal. He acknowledges his enduring admiration for Messi but also recognizes Yamal’s significant impact and representation of a diverse Spain, given his parents’ origins from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.

La Masia’s enduring legacy

Both Messi and Yamal are products of La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy. La Masia, which translates to ‘The Farmhouse’, was originally an old Catalan farmhouse built in 1702 that housed young players between 1979 and 2011. It is considered a significant institution in football for its role in developing talented players.

In 2010, La Masia achieved a notable milestone by becoming the first youth academy to have trained all three players on the Ballon d’Or podium: Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta. That same year, Spain won its only World Cup, with seven Barcelona players in the starting lineup for the final, six of whom were La Masia graduates.

Although the old farmhouse ceased housing players in 2011 when the academy moved to a new facility, La Masia’s philosophy and identity have continued. It represents Barcelona’s tradition of identifying, educating, and promoting technically skilled footballers. Yamal’s emergence signifies Barcelona’s renewed focus on La Masia, particularly after the club faced financial difficulties. The current World Cup final squads include nine academy graduates, with eight playing for Spain and Messi for Argentina.

The academy’s goal was not to replicate specific players but to instill a common footballing tradition focused on ball reception, field awareness, gap identification, angle creation, maintaining width, and understanding space. The concept of Total Football, introduced to Barcelona by Rinus Michels from Ajax and later championed by Johan Cruyff, underpins La Masia’s philosophy. This approach emphasizes players interchanging positions while maintaining team structure, requiring each player to understand multiple roles.

Cruyff’s return as manager in 1988 led his ‘Dream Team’ to four consecutive league titles and Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992. His philosophy prioritized technical intelligence over brute force, leading the academy to select players based on their understanding of specific functions. Pep Guardiola, a product of this system, later developed these ideas. The academy also produced figures like Mikel Arteta, who passed through Barcelona’s academy.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is scheduled for Sunday.

Source: apnews.com