UNICEF Verifies Viral Messi-yamal Photo From 2007

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are the main subjects of the story.

Yahoo Sports - Mounir Nasraoui is Lamine Yamal's father.

Yahoo Sports - Joan Monfort is the photographer of the iconic image.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Ronaldinho shared a recreation of the iconic photo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

NBC News - The photo has become a symbol of the generational shift between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, 19 years after it was taken.

Yahoo Sports - A photograph of Messi holding Yamal was taken in 2007 during a UNICEF charity event.

Yahoo Sports - UNICEF has verified the authenticity of the photo, confirming it is genuine.

Yahoo Sports - Messi described the situation as "crazy" and referred to Yamal as "one of the best in the world" and "rising up."

Sportskeeda - Ronaldinho shared a recreation of the iconic photo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - The photo was taken inside Camp Nou, Barcelona.

WHEN:

US Magazine - Lamine Yamal's Spanish national team won the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 19.

Yahoo Sports - The original photo was taken in 2007.

Yahoo Sports - The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to take place in New Jersey.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - The photo was part of a UNICEF charity calendar project aimed at raising funds for children's causes.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The project matched first-team players with local babies through a raffle, which Yamal's family entered and won.

Ronaldinho recently recreated the iconic photo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which saw Argentina face off against Spain. This image has taken on new significance as it symbolizes the generational shift from Lionel Messi to 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, nearly two decades after the original was captured. Yamal's Spanish national team triumphed in the tournament, winning the World Cup on July 19.