Future meets past: five times young football stars met their icons
The heartwarming image of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi holding a young Lamine Yamal—the 16-year-old French wonderkid lighting up Euro 2024—has sparked a wave of nostalgia. It serves as a reminder of young footballers’ dreams and the chance encounters that can shape their careers. Here, we explore similar stories of rising stars meeting their footballing heroes. … The post Future meets past: five times young football stars met their icons appeared first on Asaase Radio.
The heartwarming image of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi holding a young Lamine Yamal—the 16-year-old French wonderkid lighting up Euro 2024—has sparked a wave of nostalgia.
It serves as a reminder of young footballers’ dreams and the chance encounters that can shape their careers. Here, we explore similar stories of rising stars meeting their footballing heroes.
Mbappe meets his Galacticos
French superstar Kylian Mbappé’s admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo is no secret. The walls of his childhood bedroom were reportedly adorned with posters of the Portuguese maestro.
Little wonder then that a 14-year-old Mbappé cherished the moment he met his idol—a memory forever etched in a photograph.
He wasn’t done there, though, also getting the chance to meet French legends Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane.
Kvaratskhelia: A product of Ronaldo’s legacy
Speaking of Ronaldo, his influence extends beyond club loyalties. In 2013, he opened a football academy in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Fast forward to Euro 2024, and a remarkable 11 graduates of that academy featured in Georgia’s stunning 2-0 victory over Ronaldo’s Portugal in the group stages.
Among them was Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who even opened the scoring for the victorious “Jvarosnebi.”
Kane and Beckham: A shared legacy
England captain Harry Kane’s path to football stardom also involved an encounter with a legend. Back in 2005, 12-year-old Kane met David Beckham at the launch of the Manchester United star’s football academy in London.
Little did anyone know then that they were witnessing the meeting of two future England icons.
A Passing of the Torch: Beckham and Charlton
Staying with Beckham, the former England captain himself enjoyed a similar experience.
A captivating photo captures the moment a young Beckham met Bobby Charlton in 1986—a meeting of a future legend with a past one.
Neymar and Ronaldo: The king and the heir apparent
Finally, a photo from a bygone era: a teenage Neymar sporting a beaming smile alongside a young Ronaldo.
Back then, neither knew the incredible heights they’d both reach. This picture embodies the excitement young players feel when meeting their heroes, a feeling undoubtedly shared by many a footballer upon meeting their own idols.
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The post Future meets past: five times young football stars met their icons appeared first on Asaase Radio.
