A photograph taken in 2007 by Joan Monfort, a photographer for the Associated Press, has circulated widely again on social networks in connection with the World Cup final scheduled for July 19 in New York between Argentina and Spain. The shot depicts a young Lionel Messi, then twenty years old, bathing a newborn: the child is Lamine Yamal, now eighteen years old and one of the key players for Spain, who will face Messi's Argentina in the final.

The photographer, Joan Monfort, recounted in an interview the circumstances in which the photo was taken, as part of an initiative linked to Barcelona in which Messi participated in a session with young children. The image had remained in the archive for years before going viral in connection with the match between the two national teams.

Lionel Messi commented on the photograph during the press conference ahead of the final, calling it something incredible and a demonstration of how life goes. He acknowledged Yamal as one of the best players in the world at the moment and wished him good luck, noting that his success also represents a success for Barcelona. Messi also confirmed Argentina's determination to play a good match and to give their all to win.

What makes the story remarkable is that the child pictured in the photo from eighteen years ago now faces Messi in a World Cup final, a circumstance that has fueled public interest in the image.