The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has confirmed that the widely circulated images of Lionel Messi bathing and interacting with a baby Lamine Yamal were captured during a fundraising photoshoot in Barcelona.
The photos, which have gained significant attention on social media over the years, show a young Messi cradling and caring for Yamal as a baby.
The images first attracted global attention during the 2024 European Championship, which Yamal won with Spain’s national team.
The two football stars are now set to meet for the first time in their careers when Argentina face Spain in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, UNICEF revisited the photos, revealing that they were taken “more than 18 years ago” as part of a charity initiative.
“Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real. More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot,” the organisation wrote.
“Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world. The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential. We are proud to have them on our team.”
The photos were taken in 2007 at Barcelona’s Camp Nou when Messi was 20 years old and had just established himself as a regular member of the club’s first team, while Yamal was only five months old.
Yamal’s parents reportedly gained the opportunity for their son to participate in the campaign after winning a newspaper raffle.