‘It was for our fundraising campaign’ — UNICEF speaks on photos of Messi bathing baby Yamal

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says the old photos of Lionel Messi bathing and caring for a baby Lamine Yamal were taken during its fundraising photoshoot in Barcelona. 

Over the past few years, the inspirational, almost mythical, set of pictures of Messi cradling baby Yamal has been circulating on social media.

The photos first went viral during the 2024 European Championships, which Yamal won with the Spanish national team.

Both Yamal and Messi will face each other for the first time in their respective careers in the final of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina will be defending their world title against Spain at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 8 pm Nigerian time.

In anticipation of the upcoming match, UNICEF revisited old photos of Yamal and Messi, noting that they were taken “more than 18 years ago”.

“Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real. More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot,” the organisation writes.

“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. The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential. We are proud to have them on our team.”

The pictures were taken in 2007 at Camp Nou when Messi was only 20 years old and had recently become a regular starter for Barcelona, and Yamal was only five months old.

Yamal’s parents had won a newspaper raffle to have their son feature in the campaign.(TheCable)