The viral photograph of Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal has sparked widespread debate online, with many social media users dismissing it as artificial intelligence-generated or digitally manipulated.
But PUNCH Online on Saturday reported that the image is authentic, tracing its origins to a 2007 charity photo shoot organised by Barcelona’s foundation and Catalan newspaper SPORT.
Nearly two decades after the photograph was taken, Messi and Yamal are set to meet for the first time on the pitch when Argentina and Spain contest the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday.
The image, which resurfaced in 2024 and quickly went viral, shows a 19-year-old Messi bathing a three-month-old Yamal during a Barcelona Foundation and SPORT charity calendar photo shoot organised to raise funds for UNICEF.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the image, said its significance has only grown over time.
“It was no coincidence, it was a miracle,” Monfort told FIFA in a report published on Thursday.
The photograph was created as part of the calendar’s 2008 edition.
According to FIFA, the initiative began after SPORT and Barcelona’s foundation launched an annual charity calendar featuring Barcelona players posing with children to raise funds for UNICEF.
Oriol Canals, who worked in the newspaper’s marketing department at the time, recalled the challenges of producing the first edition.
“The first edition was madness. By the time we’d received all the approvals, we only had four days to shoot. We barely slept. We worked at breakneck speed and shot photos of the players with children of our family and friends.
“After that first calendar, we decided the photos needed to be more inclusive and representative of the Catalan population,” remembered Oriol Canals, then working in the daily paper’s marketing department.
Yamal’s family participated in a UNICEF community project in the Rocafonda neighbourhood of Mataró and won a raffle organised by the non-governmental organisation for their newborn son to appear in a photograph with a Barcelona first-team player for the calendar.
The player could have been any member of the squad, including Eric Abidal, Xavi Hernández, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol or Víctor Valdés, but the draw paired the family with Messi.
Yamal was born on Friday, July 13, 2007.
Three and a half months later, on Wednesday, October 31, his mother, Sheila, carried him into the away dressing room at Camp Nou for the photo shoot, which lasted about 30 minutes.
Canals recalled Messi’s reaction to holding a baby for the session.
“Messi was as stiff as a broom. I suppose that was because he’d never held a baby in his life,” said Canals.
Monfort also reflected on the then-teenage forward’s demeanour.
“Messi was 19 and even shyer and more introverted back then,” commented Monfort, recalling the look of terror on the Argentine’s face when he saw the set-up.
According to FIFA, Monfort used a plastic duck from his daughter’s collection to help the baby smile during the shoot, while the bathtub and towel used for the session were borrowed from home.
The photograph remained largely forgotten until 2024, when Yamal’s father, Mounir, shared it on social media days before the teenager helped Spain win UEFA EURO 2024.
The image quickly went viral, returning both Monfort and Canals to the spotlight after years without knowing what had become of the infant featured alongside Messi.
Canals said the rediscovery of the image was difficult to believe.
“It’s incredible. It’s one of those gifts that life hands you. It’d be like Michael Jordan bathing LeBron James. It’s absolutely unbelievable; totally crazy. Initially, people asked if it was AI. It’s out of this world. It’s a beautiful and incredible story,” asserted Canals.
Monfort said the photograph had taken on a meaning that nobody involved in the shoot could have imagined.
“That photo is etched in my soul. It was a miracle back then and continues to be 20 years on. It was like writing history before it happened.
“Nobody could have imagined that things would pan out as they have. Messi has gone on to become one of the top three athletes in history, and Lamine was a standout talent at 16, won the EURO at 17 and is going to compete against Messi in a World Cup final at 19. It’s extraordinary,” declared Monfort.
With Messi, now 39, and Yamal, 19, preparing to face each other in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final, Monfort said the moment completed an extraordinary story.
“I’ve never been religious, but I’m starting to believe that there’s something greater than us out there. I don’t know what it is or where it comes from, but there has to be something because the way things have fallen into place is unexplainable and magical.
“And to think they are going to line up in a World Cup final, one at 39 and the other aged 19, really is the cherry on the top,” Monfort concluded.
ESPN reported that Messi described it as “crazy” that he would come up against Spain’s teenage star, Lamine Yamal, in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, years after a photograph captured him holding the future football sensation as a baby.
While FIFA first told the story behind the photograph when it resurfaced in 2024, many people are only just seeing it now as Messi and Yamal prepare to face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with defending champions Argentina seeking to retain the title against 2010 winners Spain.
Alongside an explainer video recounting the story on Friday, UNICEF captioned the post: “Some stories only get better with time.
“Two years ago, we took you behind the scenes of the viral photo of Lionel Messi and a baby Lamine Yamal with his mom. This iconic image was captured for a fundraising calendar supporting UNICEF and the FCB Foundation.
“Now, this story has a new chapter. Last month, Lamine Yamal became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, joining Lionel Messi, who was served in this role since 2010.
“This weekend, they’ll face each other in the FIFA World Cup final, but when it comes to championing children’s rights, they’re on the same team.”
Earlier on Thursday, UNICEF, sharing a different version from the photo event, had again confirmed its authenticity in a post on Thursday night, crediting the image to Monfort.
It read, “Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.
“More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.
“Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world.
“The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential.
“We are proud to have them on our team.”