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World Cup destiny: Messi bathed Yamal as a baby, now they face off for soccer’s top title
By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 18, 2026
· 4 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 ...
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 Atlanta
As Atlantans gather to watch the World Cup final, they'll be witnessing a unique intersection of fate and football. The story of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, who will face off on the pitch, has captivated the world, and locals will be eager to see how this unlikely matchup plays out. With the final being held in the US, interest in the game is expected to be high in Atlanta , a city with a diverse population and a strong soccer fan base. As fans cheer on their favorite team, they'll also be aware of the remarkable backstory between Messi and Yamal, which has added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. The city's soccer enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Yamal's youth and energy can overcome Messi's experience and skill, making for a thrilling conclusion to the World Cup.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 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 ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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