In a rare scene that stirred social media with surprise and debate, an old photo from 2007 went viral showing Argentine star Lionel Messi playing with a baby who was later identified as Lamin Yamal, the rising star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The picture was taken during a charity event organized by the Barcelona Foundation in cooperation with UNICEF, and no one could have imagined that the infant in Messi’s arms would become, just a few years later, one of the brightest talents in world football.


The images reignited discussions about the symbolic link between Messi’s generation and that of Lamin Yamal, who is considered his potential successor. Lamin, born in 2007 to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother in Spain, grew up in the famous La Masia academy and began shining with Barcelona’s first team in the 2023-2024 season. His remarkable performance in the 2024 European Championship made him the youngest player to score in the tournament’s history, netting a memorable goal against France in the semifinals, which increased public and media interest.

The photo, reposted by Yamal’s father with the caption “The beginning of two legends,” sparked a wave of comments, with some viewing it as a decisive moment symbolizing the passing of the football torch from Messi to Yamal, while others saw it as a beautiful coincidence. Yamal himself expressed great respect for Messi but emphasized in press statements his desire to make a name for himself, separate from comparisons as a successor or copy, saying, “Messi is an irreplaceable legend, but I work to be Yamal, not a copy of anyone.”

However, the photo and the accompanying media attention pose psychological challenges for the young player amid high expectations and enormous pressure from fans and the media. Coaches and analysts have warned about the dangers of exaggerating these comparisons, which could negatively affect Yamal’s mental and professional journey.

“Messi plays with baby Lamin Yamal… rare photos from 2007 break the internet” — this phrase accurately reflects the impact of the image, which has become part of modern football’s narrative, capturing how a fleeting photo can turn into an icon carrying the story of a new generation. Yamal is now under the spotlight, and the story of his first encounter with Messi in a photo that millions have talked about might be the beginning of a legendary journey written by time.

This story illustrates how football has transcended sports to become a living part of history and popular culture, where every picture and moment tells the story of future heroes. What awaits Yamal in the future remains unknown, but the photo that united him with Messi in his childhood will remain a landmark in the history of the game.