The Picture Of The Greatest & A Baby.
So, let’s immediately address the perhaps, elephant in the room. The picture. That picture. You know, the one where Lionel Messi, the player many consider the greatest of all time. Is pictured with a baby Yamine Lamal.
Now, many of us, have seen a lot of pictures. In this social media era, of modern society, seeing pictures is what, we, do!!!!
However, when it comes to the World Cup. We’re talking about that picture. Where somehow, a baby Lamine Yamal, is pictured with Lionel Messi. The man many consider to be the greatest soccer player of all time.
Prior to Spain winning the World Cup, the picture already stood out as being almost impossible. Could fate be so flagrant? So, questioning and confirming, all at the same time? To be sure, the picture is so powerful that it reveals our very selves, to ourselves. It lets us know whether we are the type to believe in fate, destiny and the invisible.
Conversely, it reveals whether we are more inclined to reject the above conclusion and instead see nothing more than a coincidence. The greatest footballer of all time, is pictured with one of the best football players in the world because things just happen. However arguably, the two greats coming together in this pic whilst one was just a baby, has nothing to do with fate.
However, that argument has already lost ground. Given that the commonalities that Lionel Messi and Yamine Lamal share just increased. Now, post World Cup, in addition to the two sharing football greatness. Lionel Messi and Yamine Lamal now share winning the World Cup on their resume’s.
Out of all the babies in the World, why did Lionel Messi happen to take a picture with this baby? Similarly, out of all the Soccer superstars in the world, why did Lamine Yamal happen to take a picture with Lionel Messi?????
Could it be that as the picture seems to suggest, the trajectories of these two Soccer superstars are linked. More than likely, we just saw Lionel Messi play in his last World Cup. Meanwhile, we also just saw Lamine Yamal win his first World Cup.
If we are to take the picture at face value, its significance is that the legacy of these two football players, are linked.
Is Lionel Messi The Greatest Of All Time?
Robert Griffin III seems to think so, arguing that Argentina’s national team has full faith in Messi, whilst Portugal’s national team is doubtful of Christiano Ronaldo.
Moreover, for many, Messi’s World Cup win, puts Messi past his rival, Christiano, who has never won on the world cup stage.
Additionally, the fact that Messi is a threat as a facilitator, shows that there is a depth to Messi’s game that is lacking from Christiano.
Wait, Did Somebody Say World Cup?
So, if Messi’s World Cup win, is one of the main reasons why Messi wins in the greatest of all time debate against Christiano. Why is it that so many people seem to have Messi as the overall greatest of all time over Pele – who won an unmatched three World Cups?
When it comes to the greatest of all time debate in Soccer, this question, is the million dollar one. However, it is fair to simply and concisely say that to have Messi as the greatest of all time, is to value Messi’s club level achievements at Barcelona and his 8 Ballon D’ors. Over Pele’s prolific, 3 World Cup wins.
Again, whether people are right to do this and put Messi ahead of Pele, is up for debate.
Lamine Yamal To Enter The Greatest Of All Time Conversation?
Is the World Cup supposed to be the standard by which we judge who is the greatest of all time in Soccer? Or, should we be using a comprehensive approach that ways both club and World Cup achievements, when it comes to the greatest of all time debate?
What do you think?
Arguably, the World Cup is the ultimate measuring stick of greatness in Soccer and therefore, Pele is still the greatest of all time.
Lamine Yamal & Soccer Greatness.
The irony is, if you have World Cup wins as the main factor by which you judge who the G.O.A.T. is. Lamine Yamal having just won a World Cup, is actually proof of why it is obviously too early to put Lamine in the greatest of all time debate.
Another irony is that despite the fact that it is premature to put Lamine in the greatest of all time debate. It nevertheless is also true that Lamine might be better than Messi was at the same age.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that in 2026, looking at the careers of Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Pele. Is probably the best way of quantifying what being the greatest of all time in Soccer actually means.
World cup wins aside. Messi’s excelling as both an elite facilitator and goal scorer. Is probably what captures or signifies his Soccer greatness best.
Which brings us full circle, because Lamine Yamal also excels at being a dual threat in this way. All indications are that the picture of Lionel Messi with a baby Lamine Yamal somehow is indicative of Lamine being the next in line for Soccer greatness.
The parallels between these two Soccers greats already, are too many to ignore. Both had roots elsewhere but end up playing at the same Football Club. They also share the ability to facilitate and finish. Both have won the World Cup, and were child prodigies and both were in that pic.
All of which shows that that pic is, merely one of the many commonalities that these two Soccer greats share. Which is why it is reasonable to conclude that that pic is reflective of the fact Lamine and Messi actually share a lot in common.
Which is exactly what the pic represents and why the pic is significant.
In Soccer, the G.O.A.T. is Pele but it also, is Lionel Messi. On the one hand, nothing that Messi has done, surpasses Pele’s 3 World Cups wins.
On the other hand, Messi is greater than Pele overall, as a facilitator and finisher.
Simultaneously, Lamine Yamal (as the picture indicates) is on course to take over from Lionel Messi. Especially given his potential as facilitor, finisher and future World Cup winner. At least, that, is how things seem, right now, after the World Cup.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to read this article too.
Lastly, whilst this article is less directly relevant to the Caribbean than other articles. The topic of the World Cup and who the greatest of all time in Soccer is. Is definitely of interest to the Caribbean diaspora throughout the world.
