The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed the background behind the widely shared photographs showing Lionel Messi bathing and holding Lamine Yamal as a baby, confirming they were taken during a charity fundraising photoshoot in Barcelona.
The images, which have circulated on social media for years, gained renewed attention during the 2024 European Championship, where Yamal helped Spain lift the trophy.
Interest in the photographs has grown again ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Yamal’s Spain will take on Messi’s Argentina for the first time in their international careers.
Argentina, the defending champions, are scheduled to face Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off set for 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, UNICEF revisited the photos, explaining that they were captured more than 18 years ago during one of the organisation’s fundraising campaigns.
“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,” the organisation said.
UNICEF added, “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.”
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The photographs were taken in 2007 at Camp Nou, when Messi was 20 years old and establishing himself as a first-team regular at Barcelona, while Yamal was just five months old.
According to UNICEF, Yamal appeared in the campaign after his parents won a newspaper raffle that offered families the chance to feature in the charity photoshoot.