In a Hollywood scenario that seems more fictional than reality, fate set a historic date bringing together Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and the rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal in the 2026 World Cup final, reviving an iconic photograph that captured them about 19 years ago, the future implications of which no one could have predicted.

On Sunday, millions of eyes around the world will turn to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, which will be the stage for the major World Cup showdown between the Argentine and Spanish national teams.

Thu, 16 2026

Social media platforms and global media outlets highlighted exciting details revealed by photojournalist Joan Monfort, who took the famous photo in December 2007 inside the locker room of Camp Nou in Barcelona for a charitable annual calendar organized by the Catalan newspaper Sport in collaboration with UNICEF.

Monfort recounted the behind-the-scenes of the historic meeting, saying that Messi, who was then 20 years old, was a very shy and introverted young man, so much so that 'he didn't even know how to hold the baby,' who was no older than 5 months, Lamine Yamal. The photographer added that he had to use a 'rubber duck' to create a cheerful atmosphere and break the ice to finish the photo session inside the blue plastic bathtub, with the help of Yamal's mother, Sheila Ebana.

Insiders close to the Yamal family revealed that the photo remained confidential for many years, as his parents wanted to protect their child's football career and avoid early comparisons to the Argentine flea, before it was officially released in 2024 and has now become one of the most famous photos in sports history.

The excitement of the final is doubled by striking numerical coincidences shared by the two stars: Messi began his World Cup career in the 2006 Germany edition at the age of 18 years and 11 months, exactly the same age at which Lamine Yamal made his first World Cup appearance in the current edition (2026).

The final also carries a revenge and compensatory character for the fans, as it comes after the cancellation of the 'Finalissima' match that was scheduled to be held in Qatar last March due to regional circumstances, allowing fate to provide the biggest stage ever for settling football scores.

Undefeated Record

The two teams qualified for the final after thrilling semi-final matches, where Spain secured the first ticket with a strict tactical victory over France by two clean goals, while Argentina qualified with a dramatic comeback against England, winning two goals to one thanks to a brace from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the final minutes.

Both teams enter the match armed with terrifying records: Spain maintains an undefeated streak in the last 37 consecutive matches, while Argentina has not suffered any loss in its last 13 World Cup matches, as the final witnesses a fierce side battle between Messi and the departing Frenchman Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.

Between the genius of the 'master' seeking to cement his historical legacy and the ambition of the 'heir' aiming to write a new dawn, the world prepares to watch the final chapter of the story that began with a 'rubber duck' in a bathtub and ends with World Cup gold.