In July 2024, photographer Joan Monfort shared his challenges and efforts to capture a unique photo for a charity calendar. The picture featured a young Lionel Messi with Lamine Yamal, a baby at the time, in a plastic bath full of water. Monfort expressed the difficulty of interacting with Messi, who was extremely shy.
Monfort snapped the photo of a 20-year-old Messi alongside the five-month-old Yamal in December 2007. By then, Messi had made significant strides in his career in Barcelona, having won titles such as La Liga and the Champions League, yet he was still emerging among big names such as Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.
This image was part of a charity initiative by Barcelona’s club foundation, in conjunction with Diario Sport. Funds from the sale of the calendar were donated to UNICEF and other local charities.
In these photos, Messi can be seen cradling baby Yamal and Yamal’s mother assists in bathing her son. These heartwarming pictures resurfaced in 2024 as Yamal’s father shared them online during the European Championship.
“It’s something incredible,” Monfort told The Athletic in a 2024 interview. “Back then, nobody could imagine that this baby would be who he is now. Messi’s future stature was equally unpredictable.”
As Yamal grew older, he became a Barcelona youth academy La Masia member in 2014, making his first La Liga appearance at age 15 in April 2023. His international debut for Spain followed at age 16 in September. He gained prominence by contributing significantly to Spain’s success in Euro 2024.
At Barcelona, Yamal now dons the iconic No 10 jersey previously worn by Messi, solidifying his role as Messi’s possible successor and a football darling himself.
The unique chance pairing of Messi and Yamal developed into a one-in-a-million occurrence. Monfort compares this to a famous snapshot of Pep Guardiola applauding Terry Venables in 1986, illustrating how destiny can amazingly intertwine lives and moments.
Monfort continues his photography journey, working freelance with publications such as Diario AS and Agence France-Presse. His photo’s unexpected fame during Euro 2024 captivated many, prompting Monfort to recount his experience and reflect on the significance of his work.
“It’s the most famous photo I’ve taken in my life, by a long way. So many people have been interested, again during this World Cup now. If Lamine keeps growing like he is growing, the photo will be even more historic,” Monfort said. “The chances of all this happening was like winning the lottery.”
Despite the unexpected global interest in this candid image, Monfort finds joy beyond financial success. This photo symbolizes a bond forged by fate, creativity, and emotion in a realm often overshadowed by commercial motives. As Messi and Yamal prepare for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, their historic beginning resonates as a testament to football’s ability to connect lives and build enduring memories.
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