In a 2007
charity shoot at Barcelona, a 20-year-old Messi bathed five-month-old Yamal,
whose family won a UNICEF raffle.
The photo
resurfaced last year, and Messi called it 'crazy' and 'insane' in a New York
interview, praising Yamal as 'truly amazing' while vowing Argentina's fight.
Defending champs Argentina meet Spain in the 2026 final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with Messi chasing a third World Cup and Yamal wearing his old No. 19 for Barcelona.