UNICEF Explains Viral Photos of Messi Bathing Baby Lamine Yamal

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has clarified the story behind the widely circulated photographs showing football icon Lionel Messi bathing and holding a baby Lamine Yamal, explaining that the images were taken during a fundraising campaign in Barcelona in 2007.

The photographs, which have resurfaced several times on social media, first gained widespread attention during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, where Yamal starred for Spain. They have once again attracted global interest ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

Argentina, the defending champions, will take on Spain at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with Messi and Yamal set to face each other competitively for the first time.

Revisiting the photos on its official platforms, UNICEF confirmed that the images were captured more than 18 years ago during a charity photoshoot.

According to the organisation, baby Lamine Yamal attended the fundraising event with his mother, Sheila, where they met a 20-year-old Messi, who was then establishing himself as a first-team regular at Barcelona.

UNICEF noted that both footballers have since become global stars and now serve as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, using their influence to advocate for the rights and well-being of children worldwide.

The organisation added that its mission remains to ensure every child survives, thrives, and reaches their full potential.

The memorable photographs were taken at Barcelona’s Camp Nou in 2007 after Yamal’s parents won a newspaper raffle that allowed their five-month-old son to participate in the UNICEF fundraising campaign.