One star has taken the soccer world by storm recently. Despite proving to be a great fit in club soccer, there were apprehensions about Lamine Yamal’s mettle in international sport. But the star blasted all his doubters and critics with some magical soccer in the 2024 UEFA Euros. Adding to the flow, social media was treated with a surprise after a picture of Lionel Messi with baby Yamal popped up, leading to a frenzy.

While most people were excited to see the prodigy with one of the GOATs of the sport, others went a mile further, claiming Messi to have blessed Yamal who’s turning out to be a superstar himself. Contrarily, Yamal’s father has shunned such claims in an astonishing take.

Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraou aka ‘Hustle_Hard304′ was asked if the Argentine captain blessed the 16-year-old during the time they took the picture. However, in a stunning comeback, he stated, “Maybe Lamine blessed Leo. For me, my son is the best,” suggesting there wasn’t anything like what was being claimed. Talk about a flex!

Meanwhile, the photograph has all the fans calling it the starting point for Yamal’s incredible soccer journey. But, there wasn’t any dramatic background story to the picture as people expected. Yamal was just four months old when this picture was taken as a part of a charity calendar organized by a local newspaper, Diario Sport, along with UNICEF. The event involved quite a few children and their families posing with Barcelona stars, but to Yamal’s fortune, he got a chance with the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner.

More interestingly, the photographer in charge Joan Monfort revealed that capturing Messi and Yamal in the ideal pose was difficult because of Messi’s introverted personality. Hence, receiving a blessing from him was even more improbable. Nevertheless, both father and son’s respect for Messi is also evident.

Lamine Yamal’s ambition to become like Lionel Messi

It’s understood that Lamine Yamal’s father made his statement out of humor, but his reverence for Lionel Messi was revealed when he posted the pictures on Instagram with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.”

Moreover, Yamal had earlier stated that the Inter Miami captain is his sole icon in soccer. “I have never had another idol. Once I took a photo with Messi, I was unknown. Maybe one day I will become like him.,” expressed Yamal. But to people’s surprise, the Barcelona winger has already had a better kickoff to his career.

Becoming the youngest player to play for Spain, Yamal also broke the record for the youngest athlete to score in a European Championship. In addition, he could become the youngest player to win a Euro on Sunday. Looks like a perfect start to his mission of replicating his hero, but more importantly, making his father proud.