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FOOTIE fans reckon Lamine Yamal was on the receiving end of the Midas Messi touch after seeing his baby pictures.
The Barcelona teenager has been one of the stars of Euro 2024, excelling in Spain's run to Sunday's final.
The 16-YEAR-OLD has been a tormentor of defences throughout the tournament, in which he's scored one goal and picked up three assists.
Yamal's stunning strike against France in Tuesday's quarter-final has catapulted the teen sensation to superstardom.
Hailing from the Barca academy, his talents have inevitably seen him compared to the legendary Lionel Messi.
And his ability to effortlessly ghost past defenders and his possession of a wand of a left foot add fuel the fire.
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And football fans reckon he may have inherited the abilities from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in the most bizarre of encounters back in 2007.
Yamal met Messi when he was just a six-month old baby after his parents bagged a charity calendar photoshoot with the Argentina and Barca great.
A baby Yamal was lovingly held by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, just 20 himself at the time, before being given a BATH.
Pictures of the shoot have spread like wildfire on social media during this summer's tournament.
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And footie fans all said the same thing after seeing the incredible snaps.
One posted: "Messi gave his power to Yamal, and that is why he is already better than many wingers at 16."
A second commented: "Greatness touched a baby, and the baby is on his way to greatness as well.
"This is beautiful. This is football. This is history."
A third wrote: "Yamal was baptised by the GOAT MESSI, now it is explained."
Another said: "Bro gave him the GOLDEN touch."
One added: "Bro was touched by god."
While another said: "Never knew Lamine Yamal got his blessings directly from the living Goat legend himself. No wonder he is doing wonders on the pitch."
Yamal produced a finish Messi would be proud of in Spain's pulsating Euro 2024 semi-final with France on Tuesday night.
The teenager dragged La Roja on level terms with a stunning left-footed finish that left France keeper Mike Maignan grasping at thin air.
This is beautiful. This is football. This is history.
Lamine Yamal fan
He said of his goal, which saw him become the youngest-ever Euros goalscorer: "I don’t know if it is the best goal of the tournament.
"But it is the most special goal for me because it is my first goal with the team at a European Championship."
He added: “We are very happy to reach the final. Now comes the most important part — winning the title.
“We were in a difficult stretch after not expecting to concede so early. I just took the ball and wanted to put it right there.
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“I don’t try to think about it too much, just enjoy myself and help the team.
"And if it goes my way, then I am happy [to score] and for the win.”