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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, with Spain emerging as the undisputed champions. During the final match, the eyes of the world were on two players: Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Considered two of the best soccer players of the moment, the athletes were playing against one another for the first time. To mark the occasion, Topps is releasing a collectible card of their first encounter, which didn’t take place on the pitch, but rather when Messi met Yamal as a baby.
The photograph was originally shot in 2007 by photographer Joan Monfort for a UNICEF calendar. Yamal’s parents, who had just welcomed him five months prior, entered a contest to have their baby photographed with one of the world-famous FC Barcelona players at the team’s facilities. As luck would have it, baby Yamal was paired with Messi, who, at 20, was already making a name for himself in the club.
“It is difficult for a young man, but Lamine was a very happy, smiley little baby. His mum Sheila helped us, she was a young girl and they were a very poor family, but they were very nice to work with,” Monfort told BBC Sport about the day he took the images. “Messi was always a professional in these kinds of things and he adapted to the situation very quickly.” The chosen image for the Topps card shows Messi holding a swaddled Yamal, but other pictures show the Argentine soccer juggernaut bathing him.
Topps has announced that the card will be part of the Stadium Club UEFA Club Competitions (UCC) collection coming later this year. However, you’ll need a lot of luck to get it in your hands, as it is a one-of-a-kind card—much like Yamal and Messi’s chance encounter all those years ago.
To stay up to date with this and more collectible news, make sure to follow Topps on Instagram and X.
Topps is releasing a collectible card featuring the photograph of Lionel Messi holding a baby Lamine Yamal, taken in 2007.
The iconic Messi & Yamal photoshoot is going on a 1-of-1 trading card 🥹
Arriving in Topps Stadium Club UCC later this year. pic.twitter.com/gDWljwXLJ7
— Topps (@Topps) July 20, 2026
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