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Lionel Messi once bathed baby Lamine Yamal. Now, they could face off in the World Cup
By Kimmy Yam | TODAY at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 10, 2026
· 5 min read
Of all the full-circle moments in sports history, this one might actually take the cake.
Argentinian soccer icon Lionel Messi was photographed in 2007 bathing an adorable, chubby baby as part of a charity calendar for his then-club FC Barcelona. Almost two decades later, Argentina is slated to...
Key takeaway Argentinian soccer icon Lionel Messi was photographed in 2007 bathing an adorable, chubby baby as part of a charity calendar for his then-club FC Barcelona.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
For Angelenos who follow international soccer, the potential matchup between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in the World Cup finals is a fascinating storyline. As the city's diverse communities come together to watch the tournament, many will be rooting for one of these two talented players. The fact that Yamal, now a superstar right winger for Spain, was once bathed by Messi as a baby adds a unique layer of interest to their potential showdown. Local soccer fans will be keeping a close eye on the bracket, hoping that Argentina and Spain will both advance to the finals, setting up a thrilling matchup between these two players with a unlikely connection. The city's many Spanish and Argentine restaurants and bars will likely be filled with fans cheering on their favorite team, adding to the excitement and energy of the World Cup in Los Angeles .
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles 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 NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Of all the full-circle moments in sports history, this one might actually take the cake.
Argentinian soccer icon Lionel Messi was photographed in 2007 bathing an adorable, chubby baby as part of a charity calendar for his then-club FC Barcelona. Almost two decades later, Argentina is slated to...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kimmy Yam | TODAY at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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