In 2007, Lionel Messi took part in a photoshoot that would become one of football's most iconic images decades later.
In that photoshoot, he interacted with a baby named Lamine Yamal.
Those moments were captured for a UNICEF campaign by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort, working on behalf of the sports daily, Sport.
For years, the pictures remained largely forgotten.
Why would anybody bother to dwell on them? Messi is a superstar who has taken part in hundreds of photoshoots for humanitarian and brand campaigns, so there was nothing special about a UNICEF image of the footballer and a baby.
But as the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup drew near, one of those pictures reappeared, becoming one of the most talked-about images in World Cup history.
And that is because, almost two decades later, baby Yamal, then five months old, has matured into a brilliant footballer, has replaced Messi at FC Barcelona, and is now challenging him for the 2026 World Cup title.
Argentina, the World Cup defending champions, face Spain on Sunday in the final of FIFA's first 48-team tournament.
Messi is the leading light of the Argentina team, while 19-year-old Yamal is the star of Spain.
The Myth
In 2024, Yamal's father shared one of the 2007 photos with the caption, "The beginning of two legends."
Since then, fans have described the images as everything from "prophetic" to "written by destiny."
Those theories have only grown stronger as fate has brought both players together on football's biggest stage.
Some supporters believe the meeting was destined, while others jokingly suggest Messi somehow "passed his powers" to the young Spaniard during the photoshoot.
Messi himself has laughed off the speculation while appreciating the sentiments behind the discussions.
Speaking ahead of the final, the Argentine captain described the photo as "incredible" and admitted it was "crazy" that he and Yamal would now meet in a World Cup final.
He also praised the 19-year-old, calling him one of the world's best players and wishing him success.
The timing makes the story even more emotional.
The Number 19
But football fans have yet to get over the odds of a budding star pictured with a five-month-old in a bathtub, only for the two to become their countries' world-renowned star players, battling each other for football's biggest prize.
Many point to the number 19. The photos were taken 19 years ago. Yamal is now 19. He wore the number 19 shirt when he was first registered as a first-team player for Barcelona FC.
He now wears the number 19 shirt when he plays for Spain, including at the 2026 World Cup.
That shirt number, 19, was Messi's from 2006 to 2008 when he became a regular starter at Barcelona FC. He also wore the number 19 shirt in his earliest senior international appearances for Argentina.
What more? The FIFA 2026 World Cup final will be played on Sunday, 19 July.
Iconically, both Messi and Yamal switched from shirt number 19 to 10 at Barcelona, the Argentinian in 2008, and the Spaniard in 2025.
The End of an Era, The Beginning of Another
At 39, Messi is expected to play his final World Cup match as he attempts to lead Argentina to back-to-back titles.
Across from him will be Yamal, widely regarded as the player most capable of carrying football into its next era.
The final promises far more than a battle between two gifted footballers.
Argentina arrive as defending champions, inspired by Messi's outstanding tournament, while Spain have impressed with their disciplined defence, attacking flair and unbeaten run under coach Luis de la Fuente.
Rather than assigning a special marker to Messi, Spain have said they will rely on their collective team structure to contain him.
Whether Argentina complete another historic triumph or Spain begin a new golden generation, the viral photograph has already ensured this final will be remembered as more than just a football match.
It is a rare moment where coincidence, history and sport come together, linking one legend's final chapter with another's remarkable beginning.
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