The viral photograph showing Lionel Messi bathing a baby Lamine Yamal is genuine and not an artificial intelligence creation, according to FIFA and UNICEF.
The image, which resurfaced online in 2024, has drawn renewed global attention ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final, where Argentina captain Messi and Spain’s teenage sensation Yamal are set to face each other for the first time.
The photograph dates back to October 31, 2007, when a 19-year-old Messi took part in a charity calendar photoshoot organised by Barcelona’s foundation and Catalan newspaper SPORT to raise funds for UNICEF.
Yamal, who was just three months old at the time, was selected after his family won a UNICEF raffle linked to a community project in Rocafonda, Mataró. Although the baby could have been paired with any Barcelona first-team player, including Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernández, Thierry Henry or Andrés Iniesta, the draw matched him with Messi.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the now-iconic image, described the moment as something extraordinary.
“It was no coincidence, it was a miracle,” Monfort told FIFA.
Oriol Canals, who worked in SPORT’s marketing department during the project, recalled that the annual charity calendar was created to support UNICEF and feature Barcelona players with children representing the diversity of Catalonia.
He said Messi appeared nervous throughout the session.
“Messi was as stiff as a broom. I suppose that was because he’d never held a baby in his life,” Canals said.
Monfort also remembered the young Argentine’s reaction.
“Messi was 19 and even shyer and more introverted back then,” he said, recalling the expression on the forward’s face when he saw the photoshoot setup.
According to FIFA, Monfort used a plastic duck borrowed from his daughter’s toy collection to keep the baby smiling, while the bathtub and towel used during the session were brought from home.
For years, the photograph attracted little attention until Yamal’s father, Mounir, shared it on social media shortly before the teenager helped Spain win UEFA EURO 2024.
Its resurgence sparked widespread online debate, with many users wrongly claiming it had been digitally manipulated.
Reflecting on the renewed interest, Canals said the image had become far more significant than anyone involved in the project could have imagined.
“It’s incredible. It’s one of those gifts that life hands you. It’d be like Michael Jordan bathing LeBron James. It’s absolutely unbelievable; totally crazy. Initially, people asked if it was AI. It’s out of this world. It’s a beautiful and incredible story,” he said.
Monfort said the photograph had effectively documented history before it unfolded.
“That photo is etched in my soul. It was a miracle back then and continues to be 20 years on. It was like writing history before it happened.”
He added that the prospect of Messi, now 39, facing 19-year-old Yamal in a World Cup final made the story even more remarkable.
“Nobody could have imagined that things would pan out as they have. Messi has gone on to become one of the top three athletes in history, and Lamine was a standout talent at 16, won the EURO at 17 and is going to compete against Messi in a World Cup final at 19. It’s extraordinary.”
UNICEF has also reaffirmed the authenticity of the photograph.
In a recent social media post, the organisation explained that the image was taken during a fundraising campaign involving UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation.
UNICEF also noted that both footballers now serve as Goodwill Ambassadors, using their global influence to advocate for children’s rights.
“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 organisation added that while Messi and Yamal will compete for football’s biggest prize on Sunday, they remain united in supporting children worldwide.
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