From Baby to Prodigy: The Iconic Photo of Messi and Yamal

Lamine Yamal recently reflected on a viral photo of him as a baby with Lionel Messi, taken when he was only a few months old.

The photo, captured in 2007, was part of a charity calendar for UNICEF, in collaboration with Barcelona and the local newspaper Diario Sport. Yamal’s family won the opportunity to participate through a raffle in their neighborhood of Roca Fonda in Mataró.

The image features a 20-year-old Messi, who at the time was already a rising star at Barcelona, holding a baby Yamal during the photoshoot in the Camp Nou locker room.

Yamal mentioned that he was not aware of the significance of the photo when it was taken and that his father had kept it private to avoid unnecessary comparisons with Messi, which can often be unhelpful.

This decision was made to let Yamal develop his own identity and career path without the pressure of living up to Messi’s legendary status.

The photo resurfaced recently, causing a sensation among fans who were astonished to see the young Messi with Yamal, who is now considered one of Spain’s top football talents. The viral image symbolizes the unexpected and inspiring connection between two generations of football talent, and it has become a cherished piece of Barcelona’s history.