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Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
By Joseph Wilson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn't think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until the remarkable twist of fate became clear years later, when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal.Now those images of the long...
Key takeaway This is beyond all reasonable explanations,” Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain has a unique connection to the Houston area, given the massive Argentine and Spanish populations in the city. As fans in Piney Point Village gather to watch the highly anticipated match, they will be witnessing a remarkable coincidence that has captivated the world. The fact that Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, who will be facing each other on the field, were brought together in a charity photo shoot nearly two decades ago adds a fascinating layer to the story. For local soccer enthusiasts, this World Cup final is not just about the beautiful game, but also about the intriguing backstory that has unfolded over the years, now culminating in a thrilling showdown between two of the sport's biggest stars. As the community comes together to watch the match, the excitement will be palpable, with many likely to be discussing the remarkable tale of Messi and Yamal's unlikely connection.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn't think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until the remarkable twist of fate became clear years later, when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal.Now those images of the long...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joseph Wilson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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