Few could have imagined that a picture of the legendary Lionel Messi bathing a six-month-old Lamine Yamal would hold extra significance in 2026. Just over 18 years later, one day after his 19th birthday, the Barcelona teenager would win the penalty that ultimately sent Spain into their second World Cup final.
This weekend, the superstars of past and present will collide for the world’s most prestigious prize in North America.
Africa’s Son on the World Stage
Yamal is a superstar who has deep roots in African culture. Despite being born in Catalonia, he is of Moroccan and Equatoguinean descent. His mother, Sheila Ebana, is from Bata, Equatorial Guinea, and his father, Mounir Nasraoui, is from Larache, Morocco.
Due to his African heritage, he has been a firm favourite across the continent this summer, especially in nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. Therefore, when Yamal runs at defenders for Spain, Africa runs with him.
The Records He Had Already Broken Before the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup hasn’t been the tournament that Yamal would have hoped for, as injuries have plagued his campaign. However, his emergence as one of the next greats of the game was already a given.
The 19-year-old smashed records throughout Spain’s EURO 2024-winning campaign, becoming the youngest player and scorer, aged 16, in a major tournament since Pele. Yamal also made history by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy in consecutive years.
His four assists in Spain’s EURO success are a joint-tournament record, while his success in Germany also made him the youngest player in history to win a major tournament. His performances throughout EURO 2024 also saw Yamal become the youngest player to ever be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
At club level, Yamal has been a key player for Barcelona since breaking into the first team in 2022-23. His breakout season saw him score seven goals in 50 appearances, before he registered 18 goals in 55 appearances in 2024-25. The teenager inherited Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt in the summer of 2025, and he lived up to its reputation. Yamal accumulated 41 goal contributions last season across all club competitions, as Barcelona won La Liga for the third time in four seasons.
By the time he arrived at WC 2026, he had already broken more records than most players accumulate in a full career.
Lamine Yamal at World Cup 2026 — The Moment That Defined His Tournament
This summer has been a frustrating one for Yamal, as an injury sustained during the club season disrupted the start of the World Cup, forcing him to start on the bench in Spain’s opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
However, the winger wasted little time making an impact upon returning to full fitness, scoring his first goal of the tournament in the win against Saudi Arabia. In doing so, Yamal became the eighth-youngest player to score at the World Cup.
Fitness concerns continued to affect his performance, but he remained a key member of the Spain team that went unbeaten throughout the knockout stage. His intelligence and ability to unsettle defenders created the match-defining moment in the semi-final win against France.
Yamal’s sharp run onto a loose ball forced a mistimed tackle from Lucas Digne, winning a penalty at a crucial stage of the game. Mikel Oyarzabal made no mistake from the spot, giving Spain the crucial advantage.
From there, the EURO champions were able to dictate the pace of the game, restricting the space in which France’s talented attackers could operate. He didn’t need a goal to make his mark in the semi-final; instead, Yamal created the moment that mattered.
The Boy Messi Bathed — Now Heading to the Final
The now-iconic photo of Messi bathing Yamal, captured in 2007, holds extra significance today. It almost foreshadowed the future of football, with Yamal even wearing Messi’s historic number ten shirt at Barcelona.
Now 19, Yamal has already broken more records than many players manage in their entire careers. Neither could have imagined that 18 years after the photo, they would be on opposing sides in the World Cup final.
The Spanish superstar could make more history with a win over Messi’s Argentina on Sunday, becoming the youngest player to win the World Cup since Pele in 1958. The boy Messi once held in his arms is now heading to the World Cup Final. Football is extraordinary.
Back Spain in the Final — 22Bet Odds
Reigning EURO champions Spain will be clear favourites to win a second World Cup this Sunday, and Yamal will likely be key to their chances. However, a tricky assignment awaits, as they come up against reigning world champions Argentina.
- Spain to win World Cup 2026: 1.70 (22Bet)
Back Spain and Yamal to complete the story on 22Bet!