Barcelona explains how Messi’s iconic photo with baby Lamine Yamal happened

By Ayobami Okerinde

Spanish club FC Barcelona has explained how Lionel Messi’s now-iconic photograph with Lamine Yamal as a baby came to be, revealing that the moment was the result of a UNICEF charity project organised by the club’s foundation in 2008.

The image, which resurfaced during Yamal’s breakthrough performances for Spain at Euro 2024 and has continued to circulate widely recently, shows a 20-year-old Messi cradling Yamal, who was only a few months old at the time.

In a statement on Thursday, Barcelona said the meeting happened “through sheer chance” during the first presidency of Joan Laporta.

According to the club, the FC Barcelona Foundation partnered with Sport newspaper to produce its annual charity calendar, a fundraising initiative launched in 2004 to support UNICEF and the foundation’s humanitarian projects.

“In association with Sport newspaper, an annual calendar had been printed each year since 2004 to raise funds for UNICEF and the Foundation’s charity work. The 2008 edition highlighted the programmes for the support of children around the world and was supported by members of the senior football team. At the time the project was managed by Dr. Marta Segú, who is now the Foundation’s director general,” the club said.

Among the players involved were Deco, now Barcelona’s sporting director, Bojan Krkić, Rafa Márquez and Xavi Hernández. Messi, then an emerging 20-year-old star, was also assigned to one of the sessions.

That assignment paired him with baby Lamine Yamal and his mother, Sheila, creating what Barcelona described as a chance encounter between two generations of footballing talent.

“Who would have imagined that the little child in the picture would go on to be somebody who, if the early promise is fulfilled, could well follow in the Argentinian’s footsteps,” the club said.

Barcelona added that the photograph is now “likely to go on to be one of the most iconic football pictures ever taken.”

UNICEF also revisited the image in a post on X on Thursday, confirming its authenticity and highlighting the connection between the two players beyond football.

“Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real,” UNICEF wrote.

“More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.”

The organisation noted that both players have since become UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, using their platforms to advocate for children’s rights around the world.

“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,” UNICEF said.

It added that its goal remains “that every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential.”

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face Spain in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final as the defending champions bid to become only the third nation to retain the trophy, after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).

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