'A true miracle of destiny' - Messi and Yamal's incredible first meeting
This article explores the serendipitous history between football legend Lionel Messi and rising star Lamine Yamal, who were photographed together as infants. The two are now set to face each other in the World Cup final, highlighting a unique narrative of destiny in professional sports.
Why it matters
It highlights a rare, human-interest intersection of two generations of sporting icons, capturing significant cultural interest ahead of a major global event.
Image source, AP/Joan Monfort Image caption, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal's history goes back almost two decades
The greatest footballer of all-time and the heir to his crown on the right wing at Barcelona will face each other for the first time when Argentina play Spain in Sunday's World Cup final.
Given Lionel Messi is now 39 and Lamine Yamal just 19, it is testament to the former's relentless perseverance and the latter's precocious talent that a match featuring both can take place at all, never mind in the sport's greatest fixture.
But this is far from the first time the two have crossed paths.
That happened in 2007, when a 20-year-old Messi had recently become a regular starter for Barcelona, and Yamal was only five months old.
The meeting is documented in a series of photographs taken by Joan Monfort.
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