A heartwarming story has emerged from the Euros, involving a photo from 2007 that captures a serendipitous meeting between a young Lionel Messi and a then-baby Lamine Yamal.
The picture, taken during a charity calendar photoshoot at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, features a 20-year-old Messi, already a rising star, holding a baby Yamal. Fast forward to 2024, and 16-year-old Yamal is himself a football phenomenon, captivating audiences at the European Championships. His stunning goal against France cemented his place in history as the youngest scorer in the tournament.
The photo, long forgotten, resurfaced after Yamal’s father shared it on Instagram with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.”
Taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort, the shoot was arranged through a UNICEF raffle won by Yamal’s family. Monfort recalls the challenges of working with a shy Messi, unaccustomed to holding a baby in a tub full of water.
Interestingly, both Messi and Yamal would go on to play for Barcelona. Yamal even became the club’s youngest starter, goalscorer, and the youngest scorer in the Spanish league.
Monfort himself only realized the baby’s identity after the photo went viral. “It’s very exciting,” he said, “to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation.”
This chance encounter, captured in a single photo, speaks to the interconnectedness of the football world and the potential that can blossom from unexpected moments.
