Messi’s heir, from 17 years ago

Fated: This photo taken in September 2007 shows a 20-year-old Lionel Messi, who had embarked on his Barcelona career just over four years prior, helping to bathe Lamine Yamal, who was six months old. — AP

BARCELONA: When Joan Monfort took photos of Lionel Messi with a baby for a charity calendar almost 17 years ago, he knew the long-haired young man would make it big in football.

He could not have imagined the little boy would as well.