Not just Yamal: Spain stars who once posed with Messi as kids

The image of Lionel Messi bathing a baby Lamine Yamal has become one of the defining photos ahead of Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. But Yamal is far from the only Spanish player who once shared a childhood moment with the Argentine legend.

The viral photograph was taken during a Barcelona-UNICEF charity calendar shoot in 2007. It appeared ordinary at the time, with no hint that the baby in Messi's arms would one day become Spain's biggest star.

Nearly two decades later, fate has brought them together on football's grandest stage. Yamal, now 19, will try to deny his childhood idol another World Cup triumph while chasing Spain's first title since 2010.

Now 39, Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup after spending most of his career in Spain with Barcelona, where he inspired an entire generation of young footballers.

Many of those children are now Spain internationals preparing to face the player they once admired from the stands, academy touchlines and club events.

Gavi

Midfielder Gavi is among the most famous examples.

The Barcelona academy graduate idolised Messi while progressing through La Masia. Childhood photos show the pair together during academy events where young prospects met first-team players.

Gavi's family carefully preserved those photographs through the years. What once captured an excited young fan now represents his journey from starstruck academy player to one of Spain's midfield leaders.

Dani Olmo

Dani Olmo's story is even more amusing.

In 2006, eight-year-old Olmo was training at Barcelona's academy when a family friend insisted he meet Messi.

Olmo recalled the incident to the Players Tribune. The midfielder, focused entirely on football, wanted to keep practising instead and replied, “No thanks, I want to keep playing.”

He was eventually persuaded into the photograph, standing beside Messi while clutching a football with a noticeably unimpressed expression.

Olmo has since embraced the photo as one of his favourite football memories.

All three photos, including Yamal’s picture, are a testament to Messi’s longevity and his influence on the new generation of footballers.

But come Sunday, these Spanish players will stand across their hero, doing everything in their power to deny him a fairytale ending from the World Cup stage.