SPORTS DESK — Long before Lamine Yamal took the football world by storm, his path crossed with arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, in the most unexpected way.
A forgotten photograph from 2007 has recently resurfaced, capturing a mesmerizing moment of destiny between a 20-year-old rising superstar and a five-month-old infant who would grow up to become Spain’s ultimate football prodigy.
A Chance Encounter at Camp Nou
The year was 2007. Lionel Messi, then a shy 20-year-old Barcelona winger, quietly stepped out of the Camp Nou dressing room into an adjacent room where flashbulbs began to sync.
Inside sat a 16-year-old mother, Sheila Ebana, originally from Equatorial Guinea, who worked as a waitress in Catalonia.
In her arms was her baby boy, born from her relationship with Mounir Nasraoui, a man of Moroccan descent.
Sheila had entered a charity lottery organized by UNICEF. Winning the draw meant a rare opportunity: a photoshoot with a Barcelona player for a charity calendar.
By absolute chance, the player assigned to them was Lionel Messi. That tiny baby in the plastic tub was none other than Lamine Yamal, who is now set to face his childhood idol on the international stage.
Shyness and a Plastic Tub
Joan Monfort, the veteran photographer for the Associated Press who captured the historic moment, vividly recalls the day.
According to Monfort, the interaction was filled with innocent awkwardness. Messi, known for his introverted nature, was initially entirely unsure how to handle the situation.
“They won the raffle to have their photo taken at the Camp Nou with a Barca player,” Monfort recalled, explaining that Messi found himself in a room staring at a baby sitting in a plastic water tub. “Messi is a very introverted guy, he’s shy. He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. He didn’t even know how to hold him at first.”
From a Forgotten Negative to an Internet Sensation
After the charity calendar was printed, the photographs faded into obscurity for nearly two decades.
The world remained unaware of the cosmic connection until Euro 2024, when Yamal’s father posted the images on Instagram with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.”
The revelation shocked the sports world, including the photographer himself. Monfort admitted he had no idea the infant he photographed that day had evolved into one of the most exciting talents in modern football.
“It’s very exciting to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation,” Monfort shared. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”
What began as a simple act of charity has now transformed into a legendary piece of football folklore.
As Lamine Yamal prepares to share the pitch with Lionel Messi, the iconic image stands as a beautiful testament to destiny, proving that sometimes, greatness is written long before the world ever notices.