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Messi and Yamal Face Off in 2026 World Cup Final After Viral Photo 19 Years Ago

How 4 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

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First reported by N12 · 9 hours ago

What happened

A 2007 charity photo of a young Lionel Messi holding infant Amin Yamal has gone viral as the two face each other in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi, a football legend, leads Argentina, while Yamal, his perceived successor, aims to bring Spain its second World Cup. Their contrasting journeys and the photo’s symbolism have captured global attention ahead of the match in New Jersey.

01A 2007 photo shows Messi holding infant Amin Yamal, who now face off in the 2026 World Cup final.
02Messi leads Argentina at 39 with eight goals and four assists, aiming for a second World Cup.
03Yamal, raised in poverty, debuted for Barcelona at 15 and helped Spain win Euro 2024.
04The photo resurfaced in 2024, highlighting the symbolic link between the two players.
05Messi is a football legend; Yamal is seen as his natural successor in Catalonia.
06The final will be held Sunday at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, at 22:00 Israel time.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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