How Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal have 'unintentionally' turned a Barcelona photographer's world upside down

NEW DELHI: Photographer Joan Monfort, who lives in Barcelona, has been a fixture at sporting events all throughout Spain for more than 30 years. However, he rose to international fame after a 2007 photo he took came to light lately.
During a picture session for UNICEF and Barcelona, Lionel Messi, then 20 years old, was photographed by Monfort holding a newborn. The Argentine soccer player was also seen standing with his mother near the bathtub.
Greatness, it turned out, was clinging on to soon to be greatness. The infant in question is Lamine Yamal, a teenage sensation from Barcelona and Spain who turned 17 on July 13.
At Euro 2024, Yamal has been the standout player. His incredible goal against France in the semifinal solidified his status as the most exciting player in football.
"I'm just living in a dream," Monfort told CNN as the photographer reflected on the rollercoaster of emotions he's experienced over the last few days.
Lionel Messi with six-month old Lamine Yamal's mother Sheila Ebana in Barcelona. (AP Photo)
When Messi's father shared a picture of the baby's mother and the Argentine star grinning at the child while giving him a soapy bath on Instagram, the image went viral and captured the attention of people worldwide. The caption read, "The beginning of two legends."
Then, unexpectedly, Monfort received a call early in July.
"One colleague at the newspaper, SPORT, called me at 12 o'clock in the night and said to me: 'Is this your picture?'" says Monfort. "And I answered: 'Yes, this is my picture. I [took] this picture years ago.' And I asked: 'Who is the baby?' And he [told] me the baby is Lionel Messi, of course. And the other baby is Lamine Yamal."
Prior to the call, Monfort acknowledges that he had forgotten about the picture and had no idea who the infant was that had been photographed with Messi. He goes on to say that the photo shoot was a component of a fundraising and awareness campaign that Barça and UNICEF were involved in.
Monfort claims that Yamal's family won a raffle to be included in the picture.
Monfort recalls Messi as "extremely shy" yet "very professional" throughout the photo session with Yamal.
Monfort had no idea he had taken pictures of the Spain international when he was a baby, not even when he caught the then-15-year-old Yamal becoming the youngest player in over a century to make his Barcelona debut last year or when he was witnessing the teenager dazzle in his early performances at Euro 2024.
Lionel Messi helping to bathe six-month old Lamine Yamal in Barcelona. (AP Photo)
Monfort was only informed about his previous meeting with Yamal a few hours after the 16-year-old had helped and been instrumental in Spain's quarterfinal triumph against tournament host Germany.
Monfort told CNN he is "proud" of the photo, as he reflected "one in a billion" moment.
Messi and Yamal both attended Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy and made their debuts at an early age; however, Yamal's debut on the international scene came when he was just 18 years old.
Messi has 672 goals, setting a record for Barça's top scorer. In the club's history, he has also participated in the most games, collected the most trophies, and earned the most Balón d'Or accolades.