{"id":368166,"date":"2026-07-18T09:59:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T04:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=368166"},"modified":"2026-07-18T09:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T04:29:38","slug":"lionel-messis-photo-holding-baby-lamine-yamal-goes-viral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/lionel-messis-photo-holding-baby-lamine-yamal-goes-viral\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi’s Photo Holding Baby Lamine Yamal Goes Viral"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A photograph of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi<\/strong> holding Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal<\/strong> as a baby has resurfaced in the times before the 2 face one another in considered one of the largest matches of their lives.<\/p>\n

Barcelona-based photographer Joan Monfort<\/strong> took the famous picture<\/a> in 2007 as a part of a photoshoot for UNICEF. Within the photo, Messi, now 39, is holding an infant Yamal, now 19, in his arms as he helps Yamal\u2019s mother give him a shower.<\/p>\n

Nearly 20 years later, Messi\u2019s Argentina squad will tackle Yamal\u2019s Spain on Sunday, July 19, within the 2026 FIFA World Cup title match in East Rutherford, Latest Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI even have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I’m starting to have my doubts,\u201d Montfort told the Associated Press<\/em><\/a> on Friday, July 17. \u201cThat is beyond all reasonable explanations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>All of the Celebrities Cheering on Global Soccer on the 2026 World Cup<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tThe 2026 World Cup is officially here\u2014 and the celebs are stepping out to root for his or her favorite teams. The worldwide soccer tournament can be held in america, Canada and Mexico, with the qualifying teams competing in matchups throughout the three countries this summer ahead of the championship game at MetLife Stadium in [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He added, \u201cThis has exploded all around the world, and the proven fact that the ultimate is within the U.S. has given it the additional push. And now this has culminated with the ultimate between Messi and Yamal. It is best than any film script.\u201d<\/p>\n

The viral photo got here about when Yamal\u2019s family won a raffle to pose with a Barcelona player for a 2008 UNICEF calendar, based on the agency<\/a>. Messi played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021.<\/p>\n

In a full-circle moment, Yamal became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2026 and can use his platform to \u201cadvocate for each child\u2019s right to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up, all I had was a family, a ball, a park and a dream,\u201d Yamal told UNICEF in June. \u201cPlaying football gave me structure, a way of belonging, and hope for the long run. I understand how vital it’s for youngsters to have a secure place to play, in order that they’ll simply enjoy being children, discovering the world, imagining and growing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>Argentina Soccer Star Lucas Trejo and Late Wife’s Relationship Timeline<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tArgentina soccer player Lucas Trejo was together with his wife for several years before she died within the devastating Venezuela earthquakes. News broke in June 2026 that Lucas\u2019 wife, Yanina, and their two children were reported missing after two earthquakes hit the region. Days later, Lucas\u2019 team, Club Sport Mar\u00edtimo La Guaira, confirmed their deaths via [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Because the viral photo, which became the calendar\u2019s January image, continues to make the rounds, other players within the upcoming match expressed their surprise over the coincidence.<\/p>\n

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