Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will play against each other for the first time when Argentina face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final.
The showpiece fixture pits the player considered by many to be the greatest of all-time against the pretender to his throne who now occupies his old position for Barcelona.
They are at opposite ends of their careers, separated in age by two decades, but remarkably, they first met 19 years ago, in 2007, when Messi was 20 and Lamine Yamal was a six-month-old.
The meeting occurred when Lamine Yamal's family won the chance to have their baby pictured with a Barcelona star as part of a charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Sport and Unicef.
The event was photographed by Joan Monfort, whose images went viral after one of them was posted on Instagram by Lamine Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, alongside a caption reading "the beginning of two legends", as his son starred during Spain's triumphant European Championship-winning campaign in 2024.
"I felt very happy when I found out," Monfort told Sky Sports. "I'm happy that this photo has been seen around the world."
The images are circulating again ahead of Sunday's game in New Jersey, where Lamine Yamal's Spain stand in the way of Argentina retaining the World Cup in what is expected to be Messi's final appearance in the competition.
Messi heads into the game as Argentina's leader, having scored eight goals at the tournament and assisted two more in their semi-final win over England, but Monfort described him being out of his comfort zone, aged 20, when asked to pose with a baby.
"Messi is a very shy boy, very introverted," he added. "He is now and it was much more so before. It took a while for him to interact with a six-month-old baby.
"But in the end, the truth is that they both did a lot. Lamine was a very nice boy. He won Messi over in a short time."
The circumstances of their reunion on Sunday, 19 years after that extraordinary first meeting, could hardly be more different.
vebcdnotuz
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
you foool
RachelTangi
1
You are just stupid or ignorant to do a research
Calling me stupid doesn't mean you're clever, either. None of those is your relative. Educate me without insulting me.
emma23
0
This photo has been around before Ai, how true is this photo because I have been seen it for a very long time
Valzy109
0
try get sense small, I will advice u to stop drinking garri morning, afternoon and evening blc it has affected ur brain..full grown up man can read but can't comprehend..go back to school and learn how to read and comprehend, it will help u go far..
😂😂😂😂Garri is our daily bread na
SkylarJohsua
0
Thank you for this…. I have been thinking how the meeting occurred since Lamine had no connection with Barcelona before he was born…. Thank you for explaining better…
no problem...
The_Real_Baggio
2
Messi with long hair was 🔥
Nudbdeimo
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
why not use your brain to think for one's
Tomckmtyz
0
I love this. So hilarious. 🤣 How come Messi to know Yamal's parents? How special was this baby to end up in Messi's hands. It's a lie.
You are just stupid or ignorant to do a research
Howaeinprt
1
dv
RachelTangi
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
I love this. So hilarious. 🤣 How come Messi to know Yamal's parents? How special was this baby to end up in Messi's hands. It's a lie.
pawadikmo
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
You be illiterate
Valzy109
1
"The meeting occurred when Lamine Yamal's family won the chance to have their baby pictured with a Barcelona star as part of a charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Sport and Unicef."
Thank you for this…. I have been thinking how the meeting occurred since Lamine had no connection with Barcelona before he was born…. Thank you for explaining better…
heuaekmuy
1
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
(The meeting occurred when Lamine Yamal's family won the chance to have their baby pictured with a Barcelona star as part of a charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Sport and Unicef.) is it so hard for you to understand simple English or are you that ignorant really?
SkylarJohsua
0
You didn’t read it to understand…think it deep,or you can give me a clue of how Messi get to know Lamine parents before he was born?? Or what link Lamine has with barca before he was,that made messi to know him??
"The meeting occurred when Lamine Yamal's family won the chance to have their baby pictured with a Barcelona star as part of a charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Sport and Unicef."
Heoacelmst
0
thanks that's wonderful insights and a beautiful coincidence...May Almighty God bless as with our families....
Masha'Allah
Valzy109
0
This level of ignorance is unbelievable...hahaha
You didn’t read it to understand…think it deep,or you can give me a clue of how Messi get to know Lamine parents before he was born?? Or what link Lamine has with barca before he was,that made messi to know him??
Kingitovic
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
try get sense small, I will advice u to stop drinking garri morning, afternoon and evening blc it has affected ur brain..full grown up man can read but can't comprehend..go back to school and learn how to read and comprehend, it will help u go far..
SkylarJohsua
1
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
This level of ignorance is unbelievable...hahaha
Nebceimprz
0
On that day Lionel Messi held Young Lamine Yamal...God did the unimaginable without even Messi attaining greatness as he is now The transfer of power has long been handed over without even the slightest of noticement from mankind #He (God) is all knowing All Merciful
thanks that's wonderful insights and a beautiful coincidence...May Almighty God bless as with our families....
Fedbckmorz
1
hello
Valzy109
0
It’s a lie,messi doesn’t know Lamine Yamal from anywhere when he was born,bcus nothing concerns Yamal with barca before he was born? So how did messi come to know Lamine parents,since Lamine was not in barca team yet? This story is a made up story,what made Messi to know Lamine parents when he was born? Or did Barca sign Lamine from the belly??
Makacdnsty
1
Yamal parents sold his soul from baby
Delone09
0
This is a blatant lie, how did messi came to meet Lamine yamal’s family and know he will turn out to be a good football player from birth when Yamal’s dad is not even a retired player. Please explain to me, i’m confused???
Rajoppa
0
what bond hahahahaha son vs uncle 🥂🥂🥂
junior2501
0
time really flies sometimes just imagine playing against someone who saw you from your womb
teucdlmors
0
God blessed someone through someone . On that day Messi prayed for him to be great
Yoadilmruy
2
Stupid post
Heoacelmst
7
On that day Lionel Messi held Young Lamine Yamal...God did the unimaginable without even Messi attaining greatness as he is now The transfer of power has long been handed over without even the slightest of noticement from mankind #He (God) is all knowing All Merciful
Baweklstyz
1
hi