local
Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off in a World Cup Final
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
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 those images of the long...
Key takeaway RELATED STORY | Spain advances to World Cup final with 2-0 win over FranceLuck dictated that Yamal's mother, who appears in the calendar photo, won a raffle of families in the city of Matar, near Barcelona, who wanted to participate.
Why this matters in The Waco
The remarkable story of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal's unlikely connection has captivated the world, and Waco residents are no exception. As the World Cup final approaches, local soccer enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement, discussing the fate that brought these two players together. The fact that this story has gained international attention, with the final being held in the US, has added to the local interest. In Waco, where community events and sports are an integral part of the city's fabric, this tale of soccer destiny is being shared in living rooms, coffee shops, and around water coolers. The city's own soccer leagues and clubs are likely to be inspired by the journey of Messi and Yamal, from a charity calendar photo shoot to the World Cup final. As the big game approaches, Waco's soccer fans will be watching with bated breath, wondering if Yamal's Spain can dethrone Messi's Argentina.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 those images of the long...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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