Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
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 those images of the longhaired Messi, his hands covered in soap suds as if anointing Yamal as soccer's Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about — and gawked about — in the runup to Cup...
Read MoreFri, 17 Jul 2026
- Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
- Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns match the major championship record with 62s at the British Open
- 10 songs to get hyped for the World Cup final
- Rory McIlroy makes the cut at British Open but needs a big weekend for a 2nd claret jug
- British Open comes to life with 62s by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns on day of low scoring at Birkdale
- World Cup beer sales are hopping. Brewers hope the stout demand outlasts the tournament
- Eric Cole was checking flights home from the British Open. Then he shot 64 at Birkdale
- Slovenian Slavko Vinčić to referee World Cup final as FIFA picks a European for Argentina-Spain game
- Kimi Antonelli reveals advice from Roger Federer to get back on track in F1 title fight
- Mets-Phillies start time moved, MLS game between Vancouver-Chicago ppd. due to wildfire smoke
- Silver says Caitlin Clark has become a political football amid WNBA officiating debates
Thu, 16 Jul 2026
- NBA continuing to look into circumstances regarding Bucks signing of Gary Trent Jr.
- Spain practices outside before the World Cup final as smoke fills the air in northern New Jersey
- Giannis arrives in Miami, looking to follow Messis path to more titles and success
- Messi has a message for World Cup critics of Argentina: Nothing was handed to us
- Jackson Suber leads a day of surprises at Birkdale with a 65 in his first British Open
- Rory McIlroy toils at British Open as putting woes leave him 7 shots off the first-round lead
- LeBron James says he isnt ready to reveal a decision on his future, doesnt offer any hints
- MLB to have earliest opening day on March 24 in 2027 if there is a season
- Jordan Walker won the Home Run Derby. He wants to lead the next wave of Black athletes into baseball
- Chase Burns agrees to $105 million, 7-year deal with Reds for 2027-33, AP sources say
- English media and former players criticize Thomas Tuchel after teams latest World Cup letdown
- NHL unveils its 2026-27 schedule, the first with 84 games apiece since 93-94
- Argentine golfer at British Open makes ear-cup gesture to mimic Enzos World Cup goal celebration
- More whistles, more points: How the WNBAs new officiating focus is reshaping games
- Merlier wins crash-marred 12th stage of the Tour de France, Pogacar retains overall lead
- 2 of 8 men charged in alleged plot to attack the White House UFC event plead not guilty
- Sorry, Mum: Cigarette smoker Dan Brown lights up British Open with another strong first round
- Max Verstappen leaves his F1 future open but says things are really good with Red Bull team boss
- British Open: Baldwin hits terrifying opening shot after missing World Cup semi due to early start
- UK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina over Falklands banner at World Cup
- Triathlon unites to increase its popularity closer to the level of tennis and golf
- NYCs Rikers Island jail hosts World Cup watch party for inmates
- Lionel Messi delivers again for Argentina as defending champions reach another World Cup final
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
- Expanded playoffs make it hard to predict whether Skubal, Chapman, Gray get dealt
- Englands Tuchel: Easy to say that it was wrong to play defensively with lead vs. Argentina
- Running back Alvin Kamara has a new deal with the Saints for 2026, agent says
- The World Cup final is set, with Messi and Argentina facing Yamal and Spain for the title on Sunday
- Defending champion Argentina reaches World Cup final by beating England 2-1
- Aja Wilson is drafted No. 1 as Cooper and Weatherspoon pick WNBA All-Star teams
- Brewers bolster rotation by getting Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon in a deal with the Astros
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba voted the NFLs top wide receiver by AP panel
- Distance debate at this British Open is how far the golf ball goes on the ground
- Kylian Mbapp-led France falls flat in World Cup loss to Spain when hopes for a title were high
- Waerenskjold wins fastest ever stage of Tour de France, Pogačar protects lead
- Drama-filled womens final at Wimbledon earns record viewership on ESPN
- ACC revamps tiebreakers for conference title game after 5-loss Duke team got in over No. 10 Miami
- Fleetwood riding a wave of support as the hometown hero at the British Open
- Steve Yzerman abruptly steps down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings
- World Cup star Lopes returns to Champions League action captaining Shamrock Rovers to win
- Cease, bullpen combine on 3-hitter in ALs 4-0 win, first All-Star shutout since 2013
- Rays slugger Junior Caminero feels fortunate left hand not broken after he was hit in All-Star Game
- Europe league, expansion, Kawhi probe, second apron all topics at NBAs board of governors meeting
- England coach Thomas Tuchel has a recipe for handling World Cup stress. It includes ice cream
- Messi vs Bellingham could be the story of the World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina
Tue, 14 Jul 2026
- Kylian Mbapp denied a 3rd straight World Cup final but remains in Golden Boot mix with Messi
- Hilton Grand Vacations fires employee who sent racial slur via social media to Aces Chelsea Gray
- Spain shuts down France and Kylian Mbapp, advances to the World Cup final with a 2-0 victory
- SafeSport hired ex-police officer whose actions led to a $24M civil verdict against her department
- Bijan Robinson of the Falcons is voted as the top running back in the NFL by an AP panel
- Kickoff Game announces multimillion dollar NIL deal with Auburn before opener against Baylor
- Scottie Scheffler hits the reset button for the British Open after a rare missed cut
- Tom Cruise and IShowSpeed join the World Cup closing ceremonys cast
- Scheffler and McIlroy shrug off legacy talk as they chase a 2nd British Open titles
- Pogačar powers to 3rd stage victory to demoralize rivals and extend Tour de France lead
- Baseball union head criticizes MLB salary cap ad campaign, says claims of economic woe are perverse
- Jordan Walker spoils Phillys Kyle Schwarber party, rallies to win Home Run Derby
- What injured athletes can teach us about recovery and resilience
- Britains Hillsborough Law aims to stop official cover-ups after tragedies
- World Cup absence of Jerry Jones at the home of his Dallas Cowboys is finally about to end
- Jazz guard Trey Alexander taken from court on stretcher in NBA Summer League game
- Bryce Harper says FanDuel used his Cameo video as VIP reward without consent in a gamblers case
Mon, 13 Jul 2026
- A major bracket shake-up: NCAA womens tournament to seed the top 16 by true ranking next year
- Baseballs All-Stars dont like MLBs salary cap proposal but say theres time to find a deal
- The heat is on: The average MLB fastball velocity is up for the 6th straight year to 94.7 mph
- Don Mattingly has a weird role at this All-Star Game, coaching against his former Blue Jays
- Rams left tackle Jackson assigned to pre-filing diversion and can avoid domestic violence charge
- Josh Allen is voted the NFLs top quarterback by AP writers
- Jordan Spieth returns to Royal Birkdale looking for the magic that made him a British Open champion
- Kyle Schwarber of host Phillies will lead off for NL in All-Star Game
- McGregor outlines plan for surgery, rehab and another fight following knee injury against Holloway
- A midseason mystery for the New York Liberty, despite a 2nd Commissioners Cup title
- Struggling Athletics dismiss pitching coach Scott Emerson following 9th straight loss entering break
- Ryan Blaney is only 65 points out of NASCARS points lead following dominant weekend in Atlanta
- Former grocery delivery man Joe Dean earns the final spot in British Open
- Police investigate the death of South Africa World Cup soccer player Jayden Adams
- Jannik Sinner keeps evolving his game. Just like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic before him
- Former Spanish leader is criticized for comments about Frances World Cup team
- The White Sox and Rays -- 2 division leaders -- also had the top 2 picks in baseballs draft
- Ryan Blaney wins 3-wide battle on final lap of overtime in NASCAR Cup race in Atlanta
- A tossed shoe leads to late ejection and derails Liberty rally in a 93-91 loss to Toronto
Sun, 12 Jul 2026
- McGregors manager says fighter had no knee injury prior to short bout with Max Holloway
- Zverev hopes he can be more than just the third guy in tennis after run to Wimbledon final
- Jannik Sinner bounces back with another Wimbledon title after his French Open meltdown
- What to know about new rules and technology behind the World Cups most contentious calls
- Philadelphias Snchez to start All-Star Game at home for NL. Torontos Cease the pick for AL
- Prince William and wife Kate share a moment with Jannik Sinner after his Wimbledon victory
- Royal Birkdale is a different British Open test than it was in 2017
- Tampa Bay prospect Nathan Flewelling homers, MVP in ALs 6-1 win over NL in All-Star Futures Game
- Brothers who ran 33 marathons to spotlight dementia spend a day in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
- American 16-year-old Jordan Lee wins Wimbledon juniors tournament as a qualifier
- Haeran Ryu beats Brooke Henderson in playoff to win Evian Championship for 2nd straight major title
- Conor McGregor suffers early knee injury in return, loses to Max Holloway at UFC 329
- Alvarezs 112th-minute goal helps lift Argentina past Switzerland 3-1 and into World Cup semifinals
- Lionel Messis World Cup scoring streak ends, but his assist sparks Argentinas win over Switzerland
- Erling Haaland neutralized by England and subbed off late as Norways World Cup run ends
- Bellingham scores twice to lift England past Haaland and Norway 2-1 and into World Cup semifinals
- Khosla family agrees to purchase defending Super Bowl champion Seattle for $9.612B, AP source says
- Wrobleski becomes 6th Dodgers All-Star, Peters of White Sox and Griffin of Nats also added
Sat, 11 Jul 2026
- Reddick is hoping to regain momentum in Atlanta after losing his NASCAR Cup Series lead to Hamlin
- Noskovas glimpse of Wimbledon trophies on bathroom break helped her regroup to claim 1st Grand Slam
- How do you say Cholowsky? White Sox hope No. 1 pick in the draft spells sure thing in Chicago
- Heat and humidity make World Cup quarterfinal challenge for Norway, England even tougher
- Erling Haaland is Norways World Cup machine and the internets babygirl
- Stones, Guehi in England lineup against Man City teammate and Norway star Haaland
- Germany officials confident Klopp will be next national team coach
- Haeran Ryu sets an LPGA major record with a 60 to build a 3-shot lead at the Evian Championship
- South Africa World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies at the age of 25
- White Sox rookie Tristan Peters hits for the cycle, first for franchise in 9 years
- WNBA regular-season record crowd of 20,996 watches Wings beat Tempo in Montreal
- Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to have left knee drained Sunday and will miss All-Star Game
- Former Heat teammates Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro have brief altercation in Las Vegas, AP source says
- World Cup quarterfinal resale prices drop, FIFA selling nearly 1,200 more seats for final at $7,380
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs agree on 5-year extension that could top $250M, AP source says
Fri, 10 Jul 2026
- Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
- FIFA selling the field to be used for the World Cup final in $450 pieces
- Wimbledon defeat makes Djokovic realize hes blessed and cursed by the success of his career
- Rory McIlroy part of 3-way tie for the lead at Scottish Open as Scheffler misses the cut
- Scottie Scheffler misses the cut for the first time in 4 years
- Veteran Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber joins teammate Bryce Harper in Home Run Derby
- White Sox have the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft. Shortstops Cholowsky, Emerson could get top spot
----------
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright © 1996 - 2026 CoreComm Internet Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | View our Privacy Policy
CoreComm is not responsible for content on external sites. Please review the privacy and security policies of each vendor before making online purchases or providing personal information. Forecast Information Provided by AccuWeather.