Most people will watch Sunday’s World Cup final as just a football match.
They’re missing the bigger story.
In 2007, during a UNICEF charity photoshoot, a 20-year-old Lionel Messi held a baby in his arms.
That baby was Lamine Yamal.
Now, 19 years later, they’re set to face each other on football’s biggest stage.
The coincidences don’t stop there
Messi scored his first World Cup goal in 2006 at 18 years, 11 months, wearing No. 19.
Yamal scored his first World Cup goal in 2026 at 18 years, 11 months, also wearing No. 19.
From a UNICEF photoshoot to a World Cup final.
Football really does write the best stories.