Magical photo by the FC Barcelona Foundation

The photo of baby Lamine Yamal in the arms of Leo Messi has gone utterly viral. And even more so since the world has taken notice of the FC Barcelona starlet thanks to his displays at Euro 24.

Through sheer chance, the infant of just a few months was pictured together with someone who is widely regarded as the greatest player not only to ever play for Barça, but to grace the game. It all happened thanks to an FC Barcelona Foundation project back in 2008, during the first presidency of Joan Laporta.

In association with Sport newspaper, an annual calendar had been printed each year since 2004 to raise funds for UNICEF and the Foundation's charity work. The 2008 edition highlighted the programmes for the support of children around the world and was supported by members of the senior football team. At the time the project was managed by Dr. Marta Segú, who is now the Foundation's director general.

The Foundation and its associated charities chose which players would appear in the photos. These included Deco, now sporting director of the football area at FC Barcelona, Bojan Krkic, who coordinates the same football area, Rafa Márquez, now coach of Barça Atlètic, and Xavi Hernández, an ambassador for the Foundation and former first team coach.

And that was how Leo Messi, who was still only 20 but already showing signs of being a very special player indeed, crossed paths with Lamine Yamal for the very first time. Messi, of course, would go on to enjoy a glittering career. But who would have imagined that the little child in the picture would go on to be somebody who, if the early promise is fulfilled, could well follow in the Argentinian's footsteps. For the time being, it's safe to say that there has never been a 16-year-old footballer quite like Lamine Yamal. Not even Messi had achieved so much at his age.

And there they are together in this wonderful photo, and which is likely to go on to be one of the most iconic football pictures ever taken.