Did You Know Three Other Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Finalists Had Childhood Photos With Lionel Messi Apart From Lamine Yamal?
Viral childhood photos show Spain's Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Joan García posing with Lionel Messi as kids, adding a unique narrative to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026. These images highlight how Messi, 39, now faces a generation of players, including Yamal, 19, Gavi, 21, Dani.
The football world is abuzz with anticipation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, pitting Argentina against Spain. Adding a unique layer of sentiment to this colossal encounter are the resurfaced childhood photographs of several young Spanish stars with none other than Argentine maestro Lionel Messi. While the image of a baby Lamine Yamal being bathed by a 20-year-old Messi in a 2007 charity photoshoot has dominated social media, it turns out other members of the Spain squad also have similar heartwarming throwbacks. Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal Bathtub Scene ‘Recreated’ in This AI-Generated Video.
Lionel Messi With Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Joan Garcia
🥺🚨 Leo Messi with the Barça players when they were young:
- Gavi
- Joan Garcia
- Lamine Yamal
- Dani Olmo
They will be facing each other in the World Cup final now. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Vz7u3vxYnB
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 15, 2026
These viral images highlight the profound impact Messi has had on a generation of footballers who grew up idolising him, only to now face him on the grandest stage of world football.
Spain's Stars Who Met Messi as Kids
Beyond Lamine Yamal, three other prominent Spanish players have seen their childhood encounters with Messi go viral:
- Gavi: The Barcelona midfielder, now a pivotal figure for Spain at 21 years old, was photographed with Messi during his formative years at La Masia. These photos show a young Gavi looking up to Messi, long before he became a key player for both club and country.
- Dani Olmo: The attacking midfielder's connection to Messi, though perhaps less widely publicised, is equally symbolic. Olmo, now 28, who spent part of his youth career in Spain, crossed paths with Messi during the Argentine's illustrious years at Barcelona. A specific photo shows a young Dani Olmo watching Messi play at the Castelldefels ground, where Olmo's father coached.
- Joan García: Goalkeeper Joan García, currently 25 years old, is also part of this remarkable narrative, with early photographs emerging that show him alongside Messi during his childhood. These moments, once fleeting, now carry immense weight as García prepares to face his childhood hero in the World Cup final.
The World Cup Final Showdown
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final promises to be an epic generational clash. Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, is playing in his sixth World Cup, aiming for a potential second consecutive title for Argentina. On the opposing side, Spain fields a vibrant squad, including 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, July 14, 2026. Lionel Messi Reacts To Viral 2007 Photo With Baby Lamine Yamal Ahead of Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
Match Details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 Final |
| Teams | Argentina vs Spain |
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA |
| Start Time | 3:00 PM ET (12:30 IST) |
These resurfaced images add a compelling emotional dimension to the final, underscoring Messi's enduring legacy and the cyclical nature of football where idols become rivals. For Spain's young talents, the admiration they once held for Messi will undoubtedly give way to fierce competition as they strive to lift the coveted World Cup trophy against their boyhood hero.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2026 03:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
