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Lamine Yamal has firmly established himself as Euro 2024's golden boy after scoring a spectacular goal for Spain in their 2-1 victory over France in the semifinals. At just 16 years old, Yamal became the youngest goal scorer in Euros history, breaking a record that had stood since 2004. The Barcelona youth product's historic goal came just four days shy of his 17th birthday, surpassing Switzerland's Johan Vonlanthen by more than a year.

However, Yamal's meteoric rise might have been foreshadowed by a brush with greatness as a child. Recently resurfaced photos show a young Yamal being bathed by none other than Lionel Messi, who was 20 at the time and just beginning his ascent to football stardom.

These photos were posted on Instagram by Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, with the caption: "The beginning of two legends." The images were originally taken by freelance photographer Joan Monfort for a charity calendar organized by the Catalan newspaper Diario Sport in collaboration with UNICEF.

"We made the calendar with the help of UNICEF," Monfort told The Associated Press. "UNICEF held a raffle in the neighborhood of Roca Fonda in Mataró, where Lamine's family lived. They signed up for the raffle to have their picture taken at the Camp Nou with a Barça player. And they won."

In the fall of 2007, Yamal and his mother, Sheila Ebana, joined Messi in the away team locker room at Camp Nou for the photoshoot. The stars aligned for this special moment, though the atmosphere was initially awkward.

"The stars aligned when Lamine met Messi, but it was very difficult," Monfort said. "Messi is very introverted and shy. He entered the changing room to find a plastic bathtub filled with water and a baby inside. In the beginning, he did not know how to hold Yamal."

Looking back, this first meeting between Messi and Yamal is remarkable, especially considering Yamal's rapid ascent in the football world. The pair may well share a laugh about their unusual first encounter when they meet again, particularly if Yamal secures the European Championship with Spain this summer while Messi leads Argentina to victory in the Copa América.

Monfort, now 56, expressed his delight at the enduring impact of his photographs. "It's very exciting to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation," he said. "To tell you the truth, it's a very nice feeling."

You can find a ton of rookie cards that will fit all budgets of the young star on eBay.