Nineteen years after the now-iconic photograph of a young Lionel Messi holding a baby named Lamine Yamal in his arms, the two players are set to face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. It is a clash that also resonates in Morocco, the country of origin of the Spanish wonderkid’s father.
In 2007, as part of a charity calendar organized by the newspaper Sport and UNICEF, Lionel Messi took part in a photo shoot with a baby selected by lottery. That baby was none other than Lamine Yamal, who was only a few months old at the time. The image became iconic after the FC Barcelona prodigy rose to prominence.
Morocco at the heart of the final
Although Lamine Yamal chose to represent Spain, his Moroccan roots remain an important part of his story. His father, Mounir Nasraoui, is originally from Larache, in northern Morocco, before emigrating to Spain as a child.
The final therefore carries a special significance for many Moroccan supporters. Just days after the Atlas Lions were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals, they will once again see a player of Moroccan origin on football’s biggest stage.
Standing opposite him, Lionel Messi will attempt to retain the World Cup title with Argentina. At the age of 39, the Albiceleste captain is aiming to win a second consecutive world title—an achievement not seen since Pelé’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
A symbol of two generations
The final brings together two generations of world football. On one side is Lionel Messi, one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. On the other is Lamine Yamal, widely regarded as his natural successor.
For Morocco, this fixture also highlights the close ties between the two shores of the Mediterranean. Although Yamal now wears the Spain jersey, his family background continues to attract particular interest in the Kingdom.
On Sunday, nineteen years after that famous photograph, Messi and Yamal will write a new chapter in their shared story, with the world title at stake.
