Dermot Corrigan / The AthleticJul 17, 2026 – 3.36pmIn December 2007, photographer Joan Monfort took a picture of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi, who had started his legendary Barcelona career just over three years earlier. In the photo, he is with Lamine Yamal – who was only five months old.“It’s a one-in-a-million chance that this could happen,” Monfort said. “It’s such good fortune.”Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
As a baby, Yamal met Messi. Now he’ll meet him for a shot at glory
When the duo face off in the World Cup final, they will complete the circle of a remarkable journey that started 19 years ago.










