Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other for the first time as Argentina takes on Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday. This matchup highlights the contrast between one of football's greatest legends and the emerging star who now plays in Messi's former position at Barcelona.

Separated by two decades, their journey has been remarkable. The two first met in 2007, when Messi was just 20 years old and Yamal was a mere six months old. This encounter occurred during a charity photoshoot organized by Catalan newspaper Sport in conjunction with Unicef, allowing Yamal’s family to capture a moment with the Barcelona star.

The images from that day, taken by Joan Monfort, have resurfaced ahead of the final, especially after Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared them on Instagram with the caption "the beginning of two legends." This moment gained renewed attention as Yamal shone during Spain's victorious European Championship run in 2024.

Monfort commented on the significance of the photo, stating, "I felt very happy when I found out. I'm happy that this photo has been seen around the world."

As the final approaches, Messi stands as Argentina's leader, having scored eight goals and provided two assists in their semi-final victory over England. However, Monfort recalled Messi's initial shyness during the photoshoot, noting, "Messi is a very shy boy, very introverted," which made interacting with a baby challenging at first.

The dramatic shift in circumstances from their first meeting to this historic final illustrates the evolution of two footballing icons, with Messi potentially making his final World Cup appearance as he aims to secure another title for Argentina.