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How Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal's viral photo is coming full circle at the World Cup
By KTRK / ABC ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC)
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
Before they were rivals, Messi posed with baby Yamal for a charity photo shoot.
Key takeaway Further details about the photo and its connection to the World Cup can be found on ABC13 Houston, the source of this information.
A viral photo of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal is making headlines. The photo was taken during a charity photo shoot when Yamal was a baby. At the time, Messi posed with baby Yamal for the shoot.
The photo has resurfaced, showing the two together before they became rivals. Details about the charity and the circumstances of the photo shoot are not specified in the available information.
Further details about the photo and its connection to the World Cup can be found on ABC13 Houston, the source of this information. The story of how the photo is coming full circle at the World Cup is available through this source.
Why this matters in The Bellaire
For Bellaire residents who follow international soccer, the resurfaced photo of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal is a fascinating reminder of the sport's global reach. As the World Cup unfolds, local fans are likely to be discussing the photo and its backstory at community gatherings and watch parties. The fact that a charity photo shoot from years ago has become a talking point in the tournament shows how soccer can bring people together across cultures and time. In a city like Bellaire, where diversity is a strength, the story of Messi and Yamal's early encounter may resonate particularly with residents who appreciate the power of sports to transcend borders and backgrounds. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how this viral photo affects the local conversation about the tournament and its participants.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC) . The Bellaire 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 ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local Published: July 17, 2026 Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC) Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Before they were rivals, Messi posed with baby Yamal for a charity photo shoot.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC) and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KTRK / ABC at ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC). To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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