Messi and Yamal: The story of the iconic bath photo before World Cup final

On Sunday, the football world will witness a historic clash as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal face each other for the first time in the World Cup final. For 39-year-old Messi, it is a chance to crown a legendary career, while 19-year-old Yamal represents the next generation of footballing greatness.

Their paths first crossed in 2007, when a 20-year-old Messi was just establishing himself at Barcelona, and Yamal was a five-month-old baby. The meeting was captured by photographer Joan Monfort, who had no idea at the time that he was documenting the beginning of a connection that would span nearly two decades.

«It is a true miracle of destiny,» Monfort says. «It is serendipity – when you find something extra special, so much bigger than you ever thought. If you wrote this in a film it would not seem possible.»

The photoshoot was the result of a raffle run by a local newspaper for charity. Yamal's family, who were struggling financially at the time, were selected by chance to have their baby photographed with a first-team player. «Messi was a really introverted guy, very timid and shy. He came into the dressing room and suddenly had to take these photos with a little baby, and his face changed like he had no idea what to do!»

Yamal, whose full name is Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, has already surpassed many of Messi’s early career milestones. Raised in the working-class neighbourhood of Rocafonda, Yamal frequently makes a '3-0-4' gesture during goal celebrations, referencing the local postcode. «What my mother and father have done, I couldn't have done that for anyone who is not my child,» he said in an interview.

For Monfort, the upcoming match is the perfect ending to a story that started long ago. «I am a fan of Barcelona, and I think for Messi it's perfect if he can finish his career winning the World Cup for the second time. But Spain and Lamine are arriving in a good moment. My heart is breaking in two pieces.»