Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal's 2007 UNICEF Photo: Is It Real?

In December 2007, a UNICEF charity calendar captured a 20‑year‑old Messi gently washing newborn Lamine Yamal during a Barcelona‑organized shoot. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, the image resurfaced online, sparking rumors that it was a fabricated AI creation.

Official archive documents confirm the photograph’s authenticity, highlighting a rare early‑career moment for both players.