The 2026 World Cup will feature a clash between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain in the final, two footballers whose paths crossed about 19 years ago.

In 2007, Messi, 20, Barcelona’s budding star, was paired with five-month-old Yamal in a charity calendar photo shoot put together by Barcelona’s foundation. 

The photo, taken by Joan Monfort, went viral when Yamal made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and was subsequently called up to the Spanish national team.

Monfort, in a 2024 interview with The Athletic, described the photo of Messi bathing Yamal as “something incredible”.

“Back then, nobody could imagine that this baby would be who he is now —and you could not have known that Messi would become who he became, either. We are talking about 2007. Messi was only beginning at Barca then. Destiny plays an important role in these things,” Monfort said.

However, 19 years after the iconic photo, Messi, 39, in the twilight of his career spanning more than two decades, will battle for his second World Cup title against Yamal, 19, as the Spanish team seeks a second World Cup title after the 2010 win.

The duo have delivered brilliant performances for their respective countries, helping them advance through different stages of the competition to the final scheduled for Sunday.

In the 2026 World Cup, vintage Messi has recorded eight goals and four assists in seven matches, playing 621 minutes, with 25 shots and 84 per cent passing accuracy. 

In the same tournament, Yamal has made seven appearances, playing 496 minutes, scoring one goal and providing zero assists. Yamal has 15 shots and 86 per cent passing accuracy.

Messi and Yamal trading tackles in the 2026 World Cup could mark the end of an era for the Argentina star and usher in a new generation of football stars. Or it could be a passing of the baton from a vintage Messi to the budding Yamal.