Messi and Yamal to meet in World Cup final after 2007 encounter
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other in the upcoming World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. This match marks their first on-pitch encounter, almost two decades after they first met during a charity initiative. The final will be held on Sunday.
The initial meeting occurred in 2007 when Messi, then 20 years old, was establishing himself as a regular starter for Barcelona. At that time, Lamine Yamal was an infant, only five months old. This moment was captured in a series of photographs by Joan Monfort.
These photographs resurfaced when Lamine Yamal was part of the Spain team that participated in Euro 2024. His father shared one of the images online with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.” The pictures show a smiling Messi cradling and bathing the baby who would later follow a similar footballing path.
Monfort described the situation as a “true miracle of destiny” and “serendipity.” He noted that if such a story were written for a film, it might not seem plausible. The photoshoot took place in the away dressing room at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.
Lamine Yamal’s family had won a competition to be part of the event. His parents, Mounir Nasraoui and Sheila Ebana, had moved to Catalonia as children. Shortly after Lamine Yamal’s birth, they entered a raffle organised by a Catalan newspaper in collaboration with Barcelona’s shirt sponsor and a children’s charity. Winners were to have professional photos taken of their baby with a Barcelona first-team player, and the Yamal family was paired with Messi by chance.
Monfort only realised the baby in the photo was Lamine Yamal in 2024, after a friend informed him that Yamal’s father had posted it on Instagram. He recalled Messi’s initial reaction to holding a baby, describing him as introverted, timid, and unsure of what to do. However, Messi quickly adapted to the situation, demonstrating his professionalism.
The charity initiative was organised by the Barça Foundation, working with a newspaper since 2004 to produce a calendar. The 2008 calendar aimed to highlight the Foundation’s programmes for children and featured members of the Barça first team. Foundation staff provided props for the photoshoot, which also included other Barça icons such as Xavi, Iniesta, Thierry Henry, Carles Puyol, and Víctor Valdés.
By his 19th birthday, Messi had scored 11 career goals and won La Liga and the Uefa Champions League once each. Lamine Yamal, having turned 19 recently, has scored 56 goals, won La Liga three times, and the Copa del Rey once. He also participated in Euro 2024.
Yamal’s full name is Lamine Yamal Naraoui Ebana. He uses Lamine Yamal on his shirts for both Barcelona and Spain as a tribute to individuals who assisted his family around the time of his birth. Spanish media have reported that Lamine Yamal’s father promised to name him after two friends who provided financial help when the family faced economic difficulties.
The name Lamine is an Arabic male first name meaning honest or trustworthy, while Yamal is a variant of Jamal, meaning elegance or beauty. He grew up in Rocafonda, a working-class area north of Barcelona. He has used a 3-0-4 gesture with his fingers when celebrating goals, referencing Rocafonda’s postcode.
Lamine Yamal has acknowledged his parents’ sacrifices, stating that he could not repay them for their efforts in enabling him to play football. For Monfort, a Barcelona supporter, the upcoming match between Messi and Yamal represents a significant moment, closing a cycle that began almost two decades ago.
Monfort, who is 58, views the encounter as a happy conclusion to their story. He believes it would be ideal for Messi to conclude his career by winning the World Cup for a second time. He also noted that Lamine Yamal has ample time to win trophies like the World Cup, but a victory now would be particularly significant for Spain and Yamal, who are in good form. The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday.
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Source: bbc.com
