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By Megan Armstrong
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Surely, you've seen the photo of 20-year-old Lionel Messi and 5-month-old Lamine Yamal by now. But if you've somehow missed the most viral photo in the world, here's the backstory.
Messi, then starring at Barcelona, participated in the Barcelona foundation and Diario Sport's 2008 charity calendar to benefit UNICEF. Joan Monfort took photos of Messi bathing baby Yamal in December 2007, unknowingly capturing the first meeting between Messi and his Barca heir apparent.
That was mind-blowing enough, but then Messi, 39, and Yamal, 19, shared a pitch for the first time when Argentina and Spain clashed in the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup final last Sunday, July 19. Messi and the Argentines fell short of becoming the first repeat men's World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, as Spain secured a 1-0 victory in extra time — La Roja's first men's World Cup title since 2010.
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The World Cup may be over, but that photo isn't going anywhere.
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"The iconic Messi & Yamal photoshoot is going on a 1-of-1 trading card," Topps announced Tuesday, July 20. "Arriving in Topps Stadium Club UCC later this year."
"That photo is crazy because, well, it's life," Messi said in his Fanatics Fest press conference. "I had a photo with him when he was a baby, and for us to be facing each other in a World Cup — like I said before, it's craziness. But he's one of the best in the world at the moment, without a doubt, and I wish the best of luck because his well-being will be Barcelona's well-being as well."
This was Messi's record sixth World Cup — he and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only two men to achieve that feat — and he dazzled with eight goals and four assists. He was left heartbroken, however, by losing in the World Cup final for a second time. Argentina lost to Germany in 2014 and outlasted France in penalties in 2022 before losing to Spain last weekend.
On the contrary, this was Yamal's debut World Cup. While he was limited to one goal, he was extremely impactful every time he touched the ball. Overall, La Roja was a machine — the best all-around team — and will be remembered as the best defense in World Cup history after allowing one goal, recording seven clean sheets, and going all tournament without trailing at any point.
Spain captain Rodri won the Golden Ball over Messi, while Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove, and Spain's 19-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi won the FIFA Young Player Award.
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