Rare photo of Messi and Yamal gaining attention ahead of the World Cup final
This photo, taken in 2007, has recently become a topic of discussion.
The rare photo featuring football superstar Lionel Messi and young talent Lamin Yamal is attracting attention for a special reason.
Nineteen years ago, when this photo was taken, it is unknown whether Messi imagined facing this tiny infant on football’s biggest stage.
But tonight’s World Cup final will see Messi on one side, striving to lead Argentina to a consecutive world championship, and Yamal on the other, looking to help Spain claim the title.
In 2007, a 20-year-old Messi was on his path to become the ‘Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT) and participated in this photo session for UNICEF’s charity calendar.
At that time, Messi, then with FC Barcelona, took the photo with infant Yamal in the Camp Nou stadium dressing room.
Prior to the session, Yamal’s family registered for the chance to meet and take a photo with the Barcelona player.
Winning the opportunity through a lottery, Yamal’s family arranged for the photo with Messi, who posed holding the infant placed in a plastic bathtub, captured by photographer John Manfert.
Messi is now 39 years old, while Yamal has turned 19. Messi has repeatedly praised Yamal as the future of football and his successor.
At the time the photo was taken, Yamal was a few months old and is currently a key and influential player in international football for Spain.
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