The two finalists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup know each other for almost 19 years (- as per Kul’s BBC article - published on the Blog 17/7/26),
But it is the first time that they face each other in competition.
Both played for FC Barcelona and their respective national team.
Lionel Messi is the captain of the Argentine team, and Lamine Yamal is Spanish. Both are UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors - Messi since 2010, and Yamal was appointed in June 2026. He is 19 years old and the youngest ambassador ever.
Argentina has won the World Cup three times, and Spain once. The Final on Sunday will show if the experienced 39 year old Messi will be able to win the Cup a fourth time, or if the 19 year Yamal will help Spain to win,
And from UNICEF's Twitter Feed
Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.
More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.
Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world.
The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential.
We are proud to have them on our team.
Dear Horst, thanks for bringing Goodwill Ambassadors back to our attention. I travelled with Messi (and his father and brother) to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 and experienced how he brought attention (and funding) to UNICEF`s work. But what went wrong with UNICEF`s management of Goodwill Ambassadors? Messi has not put on a UNICEF t-shirt in years and Barcelona are now playing with UNHCR on their shirts.
ReplyDeleteArgentina doesn’t deserve to win. They cheat and play dirty. 12 fouls in the first minutes against England. And Egypt might have won had the penalty been called that would have nullified an argentine goal. Spain have the cleaner record. Viva Espana
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