Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other on the pitch for the first time in a World Cup final, but their connection dates back 19 years to a 2007 charity photoshoot. In a photo shared by Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, a young Messi is seen bathing an infant Yamal, a moment captured for a Diario Sport calendar that has since become a viral symbol of a generational passing of the torch.
The Story Behind the Messi and Yamal Baby Photo
The image first gained widespread public attention ahead of Spain’s quarterfinal match against Germany at Euro 2024. Mounir Nasraoui, the father of Lamine Yamal, posted the photograph on social media with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.”
The photo was taken during the winter of 2007 for a charity calendar produced by the Catalan newspaper Diario Sport. The project featured the FC Barcelona squad posing with various families and children. According to photographer Joan Montfort, who spoke with The Athletic, the shoot was not without its challenges. Montfort noted that Messi, who is known for being shy today, was even more reserved at the time, particularly while standing next to a plastic tub of water with a small child.
Montfort credited Lamine Yamal’s mother for providing the necessary security and comfort for both the baby and the young Argentine player. He described the process as a gradual approach, stating that there was little to no interaction initially, but they worked step-by-step toward the final shot. “In the end, it became a pretty good photo,” Montfort said.
From La Masia to Global Stardom
Both Messi and Yamal are products of La Masia, FC Barcelona’s renowned youth academy. While they never shared a professional locker room—Messi departed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before joining Inter Miami in 2023—their trajectories follow a similar pattern of early brilliance at the club level.
In 2007, Messi was a 20-year-old rising star who had recently become a regular starter for Barcelona. By that point, he had already secured two league titles and a Champions League trophy. His ascent continued with his first of eight Ballon d’Or awards arriving in 2009.
Lamine Yamal is currently mirroring that rapid ascent, though he is breaking records at an even younger age. According to club and international records, Yamal debuted for Barcelona in April 2023 at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old, making him the youngest player in the club’s history. In October 2023, at 16 years and 57 days, he became the youngest goalscorer for the Spanish national team.
Comparing the Records of Two Generations
Yamal’s impact on the international stage has been immediate. During Euro 2024, he became the youngest player in the history of the tournament and the youngest to provide three assists in a single European Championship. His market value has surged to 200 million euros, placing him alongside Erling Haaland as one of the most valuable players in the world.
| Milestone | Lionel Messi (Early Career) | Lamine Yamal (Early Career) |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona Debut Age | 17 years old (Official) | 15 years, 9 months, 16 days |
| National Team Goal Age | 19 years old | 16 years, 57 days |
| Major Youth Academy | La Masia | La Masia |
| Current Status | Inter Miami CF | FC Barcelona |
The World Cup Final Confrontation
The upcoming World Cup final marks the first time the two will compete against one another on the pitch. For Lionel Messi, the match represents a potential final appearance on the international stage, serving as a symbolic handover to the next generation of talent.
While Yamal is chasing many of Messi’s milestones, some records remain out of reach. Specifically, the record for the youngest player to win a World Cup is held by Pelé, who achieved the feat before the age of 18, a mark Yamal will not be able to surpass.
The match will be closely watched by fans and analysts as a collision between the established player of his generation and a teenager who is already being framed as his successor in the global game.
Worth a look
