- Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain are scheduled to face each other in the World Cup final, after Argentina defeated England and Spain overcame France in their respective semi-final matches.
- The upcoming final will mark a unique reunion for the two Barcelona talents, who first met 19 years ago during a charity photoshoot when Yamal was an infant.
- Their initial encounter involved Messi, then a burgeoning star, being photographed in a bath alongside baby Yamal for a charity calendar created by local newspaper Diario Sport and Unicef.
- Photographer Joan Monfort recalled Messi's initial shyness and awkwardness when holding the baby, with Yamal's mother, Sheila Ebana, also featuring in some of the resurfaced images.
- The photographs, which were originally shared by Yamal's father on Instagram during the Euros two years ago, underscore the remarkable connection between the two left-footed players from La Masia, who will now compete for World Cup glory.
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