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Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
By JOSEPH WILSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 17, 2026
· 1 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 Not until the remarkable twist of fate became clear years later, when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The remarkable story of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, now opponents in the World Cup, has a unique connection to the Rio Grande Valley's own passion for soccer. As the McAllen -Edinburg-Mission metro area boasts a thriving soccer community, with numerous local leagues and tournaments, the tale of these two athletes serves as a testament to the sport's ability to transcend borders and bring people together. The Valley's own soccer enthusiasts, who closely follow international competitions, are likely to be fascinated by the twist of fate that has brought Messi and Yamal to this point. As the World Cup unfolds, local fans will be watching with interest to see how this unlikely matchup plays out, and perhaps drawing inspiration from the dedication and perseverance that have defined the careers of these two soccer stars. The Valley's soccer community will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this highly anticipated match.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen 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 ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 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 17, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JOSEPH WILSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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