Messi and Yamal: A Photo That Marked Destiny

A version of this article was first published in July 2024 and has been updated ahead of the 2026 World Cup final.

“It was a difficult shot,” photographer Joan Monfort told The Athletic. “We can say I sweated some blood to take it.”

Lionel Messi is known for his reserved personality. In his early days, he was even more reserved. When Monfort photographed him with a young Lamine Yamal, it marked a moment that required patience. Initially, there was minimal interaction. However, as time passed, the resulting photograph became noteworthy.

In December 2007, Monfort captured a 20-year-old Messi who, by then, had been with Barcelona for over three years. Alongside him was Yamal, merely five months old. The photograph was featured in a 2008 charity calendar organized by Barcelona’s club foundation and Diario Sport. Proceeds supported UNICEF and various Catalan charities.

This initiative involved Barcelona players photographed with children annually. While many of these images fell into obscurity, they remain cherished by those involved. Coincidentally, Yamal, now a rising Barcelona star, was paired with Messi, who eventually won eight Ballon d’Or awards. Their upcoming meeting at the World Cup final in MetLife Stadium will be their first on-field encounter, as Spain faces Argentina.

The photo, along with others from the session, gained attention again during the 2024 European Championship when Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared it online. Monfort reflected, “Back then, nobody anticipated that this baby would become who he is today. Similarly, Messi’s future greatness was not guaranteed.”

In 2007, Messi was emerging amid a star-studded lineup, having secured two La Liga titles and a Champions League. Monfort recalls the structured photo sessions with the squad. Players often arrived in haste, but capturing a genuine moment required time. The family’s support, particularly Yamal’s mother Sheila, was crucial in achieving a warm and tender image.

Monfort ensured each family received a copy of their photo. For Yamal’s family, who traveled from Mataro, about 40 km from Barcelona, this gesture was meaningful. They patiently awaited set-ups and player arrivals, a commitment not every family opts to make.

Yamal began frequenting Barcelona from Mataro about six and a half years later, joining the La Masia academy in 2014. His progress was remarkable. He debuted in La Liga at 15 in April 2023 and for Spain in September at 16. At the Euro 2024, he contributed significantly to Spain’s victory. Now, wearing Messi’s iconic No. 10 for Barcelona, Yamal is seen as Messi’s successor.

Monfort describes this connection as “a one-in-a-million chance.” Although dissemination of images via phones is common today, the enchanting nature of such photos remains, akin to a young Guardiola applauding Terry Venables. That image resurfaced when Guardiola, then a La Masia student, posted it upon Venables’ passing in November 2023.

Working now as a freelance photographer for Diario AS and other clients, Monfort was surprised by the photo’s resurgence during Euro 2024. He found it astonishing when a former colleague acknowledged the baby was Yamal after the viral spread on social media.

“I said yes, it’s my photo. He laughed, ‘Lamine, Lamine,’ he said,” Monfort recalled. The unexpected twist further highlighted the significance of this image in an era dominated by football’s financial aspects.

The photograph has become his most renowned work. The World Cup has reignited interest, and as Yamal continues to rise, its historical value grows. While Monfort’s life wasn’t transformed financially, the moment holds sentimental worth, reflecting the unique narratives intertwined within football’s vast tapestry.