Nineteen years ago, Lionel Messi gave Lamine Yamal a bath.

As a baby, the Spanish star participated in a UNICEF advertising campaign. He will face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

If proof of the existence of destiny in human life were needed, the story of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal would serve as irrefutable evidence. The two men have never faced each other in their careers. Their first duel will take place this Sunday (9 p.m.) at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

Yet, the two men's paths crossed 19 years ago. Incredibly, in 2007, Lionel Messi gave Lamine Yamal a bath when he was just five months old. The photo first went viral when the player's father posted it on his Instagram account during Euro 2024. With the final approaching, it has obviously resurfaced.

But why did Lionel Messi give a bath to a child he didn't know? The origin of this now-iconic photo is linked to UNICEF, FC Barcelona's sponsor at the time.

The local children had the opportunity to take photos with the players to fill the calendar that would be sold to raise funds for the association with the aim of improving the living conditions of children around the world.

Talent transmission?

As fate would have it, little Lamine was named after Lionel Messi. Those who believe in signs of destiny believe that the Argentinian, world champion in 2022 and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, blessed and passed on his talent to the Spaniard at that precise moment.

Since then, Lamine Yamal has followed in some of Lionel Messi's footsteps. He succeeded him on the left wing of FC Barcelona's attack and in the hearts of the Blaugrana fans. The only question remaining is whether the master or the student will prevail on Sunday in the 2026 World Cup final.