At 17 years and 292 days, he is also the second-youngest player to start in a Champions League semifinal behind Julian Draxler, who was 65 days Yamal's junior for Schalke 04 against Manchester United in May 2011. Having scored in three successive rounds, Yamal has amassed more Champions League goals before his 18th birthday than any other player, having already scored five times in the competition. Of course, with records, accolades and goals aplenty, you don't need us to tell you that Yamal is a special talent. ': Photographer recalls viral Messi-Yamal photos Joan Monfort recalls when he photographed Lionel Messi holding Lamine Yamal as a baby. Just a few months before he reached 100 games, Messi was pictured holding a baby Yamal in a slightly odd charity calendar photo shoot.