A photograph taken nearly two decades ago, featuring a young Lionel Messi holding an infant Lamine Yamal, has gained significant attention ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final. The match will see Messi’s Argentina face Yamal’s Spain for the sport’s most coveted trophy.
The image, captured in 2007 by photographer Joan Monfort, shows a teenage Messi bathing a baby boy in a plastic bathtub. At the time, Monfort did not anticipate the future significance of the photo, which has since become a focal point in the lead-up to the final. Monfort, a freelance photojournalist, took the pictures for a charity calendar produced by a local newspaper and UNICEF.
The pairing of Yamal and Messi for the photoshoot was a result of a raffle won by Yamal’s mother, whose family resided in Mataró, near Barcelona. This seemingly random event connected the future Barcelona star, Yamal, with Messi, who would become one of football’s greatest players.
From Bathtub to World Cup Final
The journey from the bathtub photo to the World Cup final highlights a remarkable narrative. Messi departed Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial difficulties, while Yamal emerged as a prominent player for the club two years later. The upcoming final will see the 19-year-old Yamal compete against Messi, who is 20 years his senior.
Messi commented on the situation, stating, “He is one of the best players in the world right now, so I wish him the best. He’s only 19 years old and he has all of his future ahead.” He also reflected on the photo, calling it “crazy” that they are now facing each other in the final.
The photograph remained largely forgotten until Yamal’s father shared it on social media during the 2024 European Championship. During that tournament, Yamal, then 16, played a key role in leading Spain to the title. The image subsequently went viral, and interest in Monfort’s work has intensified with the approaching World Cup final.
Monfort noted the global explosion of interest in his photos, particularly with the final taking place in the U.S., describing the situation as “better than any film script.” He has received numerous queries from media outlets and has observed his images being widely reproduced online without proper attribution or compensation.
Mikel Merino, Yamal’s teammate, expressed his surprise upon seeing the photo, initially believing it to be AI-generated. He remarked on the unlikelihood of two top players, with Yamal potentially becoming one in the future, sharing such an image. Merino hopes for a bright final featuring both players at their best.
La Masia’s Influence and Divided Loyalties
The careers of both Messi and Yamal are linked through La Masia, Barcelona‘s renowned youth academy. This institution, which once housed young players in an old Catalan farmhouse, is credited with developing a distinct footballing philosophy. La Masia became the first youth academy to have trained all three players on the Ballon d’Or podium in 2010: Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta. That same year, Spain won their only World Cup with seven Barcelona players in the starting lineup for the final, six of whom were La Masia graduates.
The academy’s influence is rooted in the concept of Total Football, introduced to Barcelona by Rinus Michels and further developed by Johan Cruyff. This philosophy emphasizes players interchanging positions while maintaining team structure, requiring each player to understand multiple roles. Cruyff’s return as manager in 1988 led to four consecutive league titles and Barcelona‘s first European Cup in 1992, promoting the idea that technical intelligence could overcome physical strength.
Yamal’s emergence is seen by some as a return to Barcelona‘s reliance on La Masia graduates, especially after the club faced significant financial challenges. The World Cup final squads feature nine academy graduates, with eight playing for Spain and Messi for Argentina.
For many Barcelona fans, including Monfort, loyalties are divided between Messi and Yamal. It is common to see children in the city wearing shirts representing both players. Monfort, a lifelong Barcelona supporter, stated that his heart is split and he is unsure who he wants to win. He expressed an “everlasting love” for Messi, while also acknowledging Yamal as a groundbreaking figure representing a diverse Spain through his parents from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.
The final will bring together these two players whose careers are uniquely intertwined by a photograph taken almost two decades ago.
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Source: apnews.com
