arts
Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
By Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — 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 th
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 Miami
Miami 's large Latin American community is likely to be captivated by the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, given the city's strong cultural ties to both countries. Many residents in neighborhoods like Little Havana and Wynwood will be watching with great interest as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal face off on the field. The fact that the final is being held in the US will only add to the excitement, with local bars and restaurants likely to be packed with fans cheering on their favorite team. As the city's diverse community comes together to watch the game, it will be a celebration of the sport and the cultural heritage that unites so many Miamians. With its own rich soccer tradition, Miami will be abuzz with energy and anticipation as the world watches Messi and Yamal battle for the World Cup title.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami 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 WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — 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 th
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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