In a remarkable twist of fate, Barcelona-based photographer Joan Monfort has found himself in the midst of a global sensation after a forgotten photoshoot from 2007 resurfaced, connecting him to two footballing legends. Monfort had captured images of a then-20-year-old Lionel Messi holding a baby as part of a project for UNICEF and Barcelona. Little did he know that the baby in question, Lamine Yamal, would go on to become one of Spain's most promising talents at Euro 2024.

The rediscovered photos, which featured Messi proudly cradling the infant Yamal and even posing with him in a soapy bath alongside his mother, caught the world's attention when Yamal's father shared them on Instagram with the caption, "The beginning of two legends." While Monfort had long forgotten about the images, a late-night phone call from a colleague alerted him to their newfound significance.

Yamal, who recently turned 17, has been making waves at Euro 2024, leaving fans and pundits in awe with his exceptional skills. His record-breaking goal against France in the semifinals cemented his status as one of the most exciting talents in world football. Reflecting on the unfolding events, Monfort described himself as "living in a dream," overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions he's experienced in recent days.

The connection between Messi and Yamal goes beyond their early photoshoot encounter. Both players emerged from Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, making their debuts at young ages. While Messi made his international debut at 18, Yamal impressed everyone when he became the youngest player in over a century to debut for Barcelona at the age of 15.

The significance of the photoshoot was not initially apparent to Monfort, who has been a fixture at sporting events across Spain for over three decades. The project, organized by Barcelona and UNICEF, sought to raise awareness and funds for important causes. A few years prior, Monfort had captured another memorable photoshoot featuring Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho posing with his daughter, Jana.

Yamal, born and raised in the Rocafonda neighborhood near Barcelona, has chosen to express his roots through his goal celebrations. The teenager is often seen using his fingers to make the numbers three, zero, and four, representing the 08304 postcode of Rocafonda. It was Yamal's family's participation in a raffle that led to their involvement in the original photoshoot, as they faced economic difficulties at the time.

As Monfort reflects on his "one in a billion" moment, he is proud of the photo that unknowingly captured the early connection between Messi and Yamal. While the photographer had covered Barcelona's successes with Messi on the pitch and various other sporting events, he remained unaware that he had already documented the young Spanish talent in his infancy.

The serendipitous story of how a forgotten photoshoot from 2007 unveiled the bond between Messi and Yamal has left both fans and the footballing world captivated. It serves as a reminder that destiny can unfold in the unlikeliest of ways, connecting two remarkable talents and forever etching their names in the annals of football history.