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Cricinfo looks at the careers of Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock as they reach 100 Tests

Andrew McGlashan15-Apr-2006

Shaun Pollock made the more impressive start, and went onto become South Africa’s leading wicket-taker © Getty Images
1995-96
Pollock made his debut against England, at Centurion Park, claiming Graham Thorpe as his first Test wicket and ending as the pick of South Africa’s attack in the rain-ruined game. Kallis debuted two matches later, at Durban, but was less successful making just 1. Pollock played a key role as South Africa clinched the series against England 1-0. He took 5 for 32 in the second innings at Cape Town, setting up a 10-wicket victory.1996-97
Both players missed South Africa’s next Test series, away to India, through injury but returned in the following home season. Pollock played all season, and scored his first Test half-century against India, at Johannesburg, but Kallis had to wait for the visit of Australia for a recall and still struggled to make an impression.1997-98
Kallis hit his first half-century at Rawalpindi and 1997-98 turned into his breakthrough season when he made his maiden century against Australia, at Melbourne, and guided South Africa to a fighting draw. Pollock, meanwhile, found golden form with the ball with 5 for 37 bowling South Africa to a 53-run, series-levelling win, against Pakistan at Faisalabad then took 7 for 87 against Australia at Adelaide, completing his first 10-wicket haul in Tests.1998
Kallis hit 132 against England at Old Trafford, the Test where England famously hung on for a draw before claiming the series 2-1. Pollock missed that match and was unable to carry South Africa home at Headingley, being left stranded when the last wicket fell.

Once Jacques Kallis found his feet at Test level he became a run-scoring machine © Getty Images
1998-99
The two allrounders played leading roles in the 5-0 demolition of West Indies. Kallis enjoyed an outstanding series with bat and ball scoring 485 runs and taking 17 wickets. This included a stunning performance at Cape Town where he scored 110, 88 not out and took seven wickets in the match. Pollock was no less impressive as his 29 wickets came at just 16 runs apiece.
1999-00
Kallis’ 105 put South Africa on track to claim the series against England at Cape Town then, in the following tour to India, batted for over seven hours at Bangalore for 95 as they won the series 2-0.
2000
Pollock was thrust into the captaincy after the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal and draws his first series, against Sri Lanka, thanks to a seven-run win at Kandy. Kallis contributes a vital 87.2000-01
Kallis started the South African season in style with 160 against South Africa at Bloemfontein and later that summer Pollock struck his first Test century – 111 against Sri Lanka at Centurion. He didn’t have to wait long for his second as he made 106 at Bridgetown, on the tour of West Indies, while Kallis switched the focus from bat to ball with a 10-wicket haul in the same match to seal the series.
2001-02
Kallis began a wonderful run of form with unbeaten scores of 157 and 189 (still a career-best) against Zimbabwe. Pollock scored a century in the Test-that-never-was against India, at Centurion, after the third match of the series was stripped of official status. Pollock had taken 10 wickets in the first match at Bloemfontein.
2003
Pollock lost the captaincy to Graeme Smith following a poor World Cup. Kallis missed the tour of Bangladesh then the first two Tests against England, but returned to take 6 for 39 as South Africa won at Headingley. Pollock took 6 for 39 in a losing cause at Trent Bridge.

They have formed the heart of the South African team for a decade © Getty Images
2003-04
Pollock becomes South Africa’s leading wicket-taker when he dismisses Michael Papps at Auckland, overtaking Allan Donald’s tally of 330. Kallis amassed four centuries in four Tests against West Indies and added to his extraordinary run of form with an unbeaten 150 against New Zealand at Hamilton.2004-05
Runs continued to flow for Kallis as he struck three centuries against England. However, wickets started to dry up for Pollock although he took 4 for 65 in the second innings at Cape Town – South Africa’s only win of the series. Kallis hit the fastest Test fifty – 24 balls – against a depleted Zimbabwe before two more tons in West Indies, where he became South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer by passing Gary Kirsten’s 7289 in Antigua.2005-06
Both were selected for the Super Series – Kallis made the starting XI for the Test but Pollock was twelfth man. A tough winter of cricket followed for the pair against Australia. Kallis made gutsy centuries at Sydney (111) and Durban (114), while he regained the knack of picking up useful wickets and sustained his place at the top of the allrounder rankings. He was named captain when Smith missed the final Test against Australia at Johannesburg.

Will Luke looks at how Canada fared in 2007

Will Luke23-Dec-2007

Umar Bhatti celebrates his hat-trick in the Intercontinental Cup final. It was about the only cause for celebration in a wretched match© ICC
It was a mixed year for Canada both on and off the pitch. They struggled in one-day cricket with four wins out of 16 matches while in the ICC Intercontinental Cup they lost four out of five. And as they move into 2008, the lack of money continues to blight their progress.Their performance at the World Cup was predictably dire, only ever showing glimpses of potential and competitiveness. After losing to Kenya, they took on England and made a decent stab at chasing 280 with Ashif Mulla cracking a quickfire 58. In their final match against NewZealand, John Davison – Canada’s bristling opener and only batsman with the gumption and class to take on the best – smashed 52 from 31 balls in his farewell ODI.Things didn’t improve in four-day cricket either when they were humiliated by Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup final at Leicester carried over from the previous season. Their preparation was poor, blighted by lost baggage and missed flights, and lost a horribly one-sided contest inside five sessions. They struggled in subsequent matches from patchy availability and a lack of preparation as players, already struggling to take time off, often found themselves underprepared on unfamiliar surfaces.The coach, Andy Pick, left in May and urged Canada’s board to appoint his replacement quickly, to aid their path to qualifying for the next World Cup. Pubudu Dassanayake was finally chosen five months later, and he has a battle on his hands to squeeze what little money he canfrom a ring-fenced set-up.New man on the block
A familiar name in Canada’s youth squads, Trevin Bastiampillai is one of the next generation and in 2007 put together some useful scores. He made 71 in Canada’s innings victory over UAE, adding 141 with Mulla.Fading star
John Davison, Canada’s standout batsman, played his last match in the Intercontinental Cup final rout, and two months earlier he bowed out of ODIs at the World Cup with a typically audacious 52 from 31 balls. He might yet return but, at 37, and with Canada’s selectors looking to thefuture, it appears unlikely. They, and Canada’s fans, will sorely miss him.High point
Ashish Bagai shone in the World Cricket League in Nairobi. He scored 137 not out – his first hundred in senior cricket – against Scotland and added a second ton against Ireland four days later. His 345 runs at 86.25 meant he ended the tournament as the leading run scorer and was named Player of the Tournament. He was later shortlisted for the ICC Associate Player of the Year.Low point
Canada’s loss to Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup final summed up their year. Dismissed for 92 and 145, the only crumb of comfort they gained was the performance of Umar Bhatti who took a hat-trick (and very nearly four in four) as Ireland’s first innings fell away. The news that Bagai had taken up a work position in London and was likely to largely unavailable in 2008 was another blow.What the future holds
With the appointment of Atul Ahuja as Canada’s first chief executive, hopes of the government funding Canadian cricket have increased. Like other Associates, they receive a payout from the ICC but, as Pick found out, access to the funds is limited – and this is one area that Ahuja might be able to help in his first year as chief executive. Similarly, Pubudu Dassanayake, Pick’s replacement, has a tough task on his hands to improve consistency.

ODIs 16 4 12 0 Twenty20 – – – – Intercontinental Cup 5 1 4 0

The England quick sprained his ankle in his fourth over of the day and was ruled out of the second day of the tour match

George Dobell in Adelaide09-Nov-2017England’s Ashes plans have been hit by another setback after Jake Ball was forced off the pitch at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday through injury.Ball, who had emerged as a likely member of England’s side for the first Test, was midway through his fourth over against the Cricket Australia XI when his right ankle buckled in his delivery stride and he fell to the floor.He was able to walk off the pitch unaided but an England spokesman later announced that Ball would take no further part in the second day’s play. His sprained ankle will be monitored over the next few hours before any decision is made about further treatment or the length of his lay-off.The setback comes even before Steven Finn has arrived home. Finn, who in turn was a substitute on the tour for Ben Stokes, suffered a knee injury during training in Perth and was sent home on Wednesday having failed to show any signs of recovery. His replacement, Tom Curran, is due to join up with the rest of the squad in Adelaide on Friday.With Moeen Ali also sidelined through a side injury – he returned to the nets as a batsman on Wednesday – and yet to bowl on the tour, it left Paul Collingwood – England’s 41-year-old fielding coach – dressed in whites and prepared to come on as a substitute fielder as required.It all means that time – and options – are running out for England as they prepare for the first Test which begins in Brisbane on November 23.

Manchester United and England star Mary Earps has signed yet another brand deal as her popularity continues to soar.

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Earps announces new brand dealGoalkeeper partners with NOCCOEarps' popularity has soaredWHAT HAPPENED?

On Thursday Earps took to Instagram to announce her partnership with soft drink company Nocco, who produce sugar-free beverages high in BCAA and vitamins. In typical Earps fashion, she had a little fun with the announcement.

AdvertisementWHAT EARPS SAID

Earps shared with her 765,000 Instagram followers a series of photos of her posing with a can of NOCCO. In the final snap, she is sticking her tongue out and giving a thumbs up.

In the caption she wrote: "Life is better with NOCCO."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Earps' social media reach has skyrocketed following her performances for England at last summer's Women's World Cup and after she won the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Her increased marketability has seen her recently sign a 12-month styling deal with Mark Hill Hair.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR EARPS?

After enjoying some time off during the WSL winter break, Earps will be in contention to feature when United take on Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. The weekend after, she'll have the small matter of a trip to WSL leaders Chelsea to think about.

West Ham United's interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is "definitely real", according to journalist Dean Jones.

What is the latest news regarding Joao Palhinha?

The Hammers are reportedly interested in bringing the 27-year-old to the London Stadium as they look to replace their departing club captain Declan Rice, who is set to join Arsenal for a record £105m fee.

They aren't the only side with interest in the Portuguese defensive midfielder, with Football Insider reporting that Premier League sides Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa have all explored the possibility of bringing the player to their respective club. However, a number of these sides have since "cooled their interest" and are focusing on other targets for the position.

Fulham are believed to be intent on keeping one of their stars this summer and have placed a £90m pricetag on the former Sporting man, according to reports, in an attempt to dissuade potential suitors.

The report states that the Cottagers have used the record fee received for Rice as a benchmark, with the club believing the pair perform at a similar level. This position of strength with negotiations is also helped by the fact that the Portugal international has four more years remaining on his contract.

Palhinha isn't the only option the Irons are considering, with Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria and Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez also making the shortlist. ExWHUEmployee told The West Ham Way podcast that the club are set to begin opening approaches for all three targets soon.

Speaking on The Football Terrace's Done Deal show, transfer insider Jones, who is a Fulham fan, revealed that the threat of West Ham swooping in for the midfielder is real, whilst the Hammers also have another name on their shortlist to potentially partner the 27-year-old:

"As a Fulham fan, I'd be happy if we just got the squad we had from last season going into the new one, because the threat around Palhinha is definitely real from West Ham. I just hope, and I think that he'll end up staying with us rather than going to West Ham.

"West Ham is obviously one that is going to get interesting in the next few days. They're going for Denis Zakaria, looking at a loan with a view to an option to sign him further down the line but they are also looking at Palhinha as a signing that would happen alongside him."

How good is Joao Palhinha?

Palhinha enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign with the Cottagers last season, winning the club's Player of the Season award as they finished in the top half of the Premier League for the first time in over a decade.

Referred to as "the master destroyer" by The Athletic's Peter Rutzler, the 27-year-old led the division across a key defensive category following his now bargain £20m move from Portugal.

The midfielder led the league in tackles made quite comfortably with 147. That was ahead of second-placed Moises Caicedo who could only manage 100 last campaign, showcasing why so sides maintain an interest in the midfielder.

WhoScored ranked Palhinha as the fifth-best player for his club last campaign, and the sixth-best defensive midfielder in the Premier League last season with an average rating of 6.93.

An intangible factor that will also make his side desperate to keep him is his availability, with the midfielder missing zero games through injury last season and making 40 appearances across all competitions for the London side.

A player who has received praise from managers in the past, including former coach Ruben Amorim who described him as a "special" talent, it's clear to see why David Moyes is so desperate to bring the Cottagers Player of the Year to the London Stadium

The 22-year old succeeds Henry Davids and will take charge of a side that includes current national captain Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock and Morne Morkel

Firdose Moonda18-Sep-2017Aiden Markram, the 2014 Under-19 World Cup winning captain, has been named Titans’ first-class captain for the 2017-18 summer. He succeeds Henry Davids, who stepped down ahead of the competition’s opening round, after five seasons in charge of the four-day side. He will be the vice-captain across limited-overs formats.Markram captained the South African A side in their four-day matches in England this winter and led them at home against India. At 22, he is being touted as a future national captain, which was underlined when he was also named captain of the South African Invitation side, which is scheduled to play Bangladesh in a warm-up match, starting Thursday. Markram, however, has been withdrawn from that fixture in order to allow him to lead the Titans in the opening round of first-class games which begin tomorrow.Markram will take charge of a side that includes current national captain Faf du Plessis and three other members of the Test squad, namely Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock and Morne Morkel. Heino Kuhn, Elgar’s opening partner in England, has not been named in the squad as he continues to recover from injury.Markram’s appointment as Titans’ captain comes at an important time because a solid performance in the season opener could see him make the Test team – as soon as next week – when South Africa play Bangladesh in Potchefstroom. Markram’s direct competitor, Stephen Cook, meanwhile, will be playing for Lions against Warriors. Should Markram need to leave the franchise for international duty, he will miss the second and third rounds of the first-class competition but the Titans have made contingency plans and should have him at their disposal for the fourth and fifth rounds as well as for all of February, when the tournament will be in its second half.As much as the Titans are grooming Markram for greatness at the next level, they are also hoping to benefit from his youthful yet matured playing style. “He’s got a background of being a leader and I believe Aiden has all the right attributes to take the Titans forward into the new season,” Mark Boucher, Titans coach, said. “Certain cricketers play better when they are leaders and I believe Aiden is one of those players. He is well respected, both as a cricketer and as an individual.”Markram has listed winning the first-class competition as one of his goals. Titans finished as runners up last season but have a formidable record in the format and Markram believes they have plenty more to offer. “The goal will be to win the Sunfoil Series,” he said. “We missed out on it last year and if I look at the cricket we played, I think we have more in the tank and I believe if we play to our potential as a side, we will be challenging for the trophy.”

In a game where bat dominated ball almost right from the start, both teams will probably look back at the last six overs of the Indian innings as the phase which turned out to be the most critical

On the Ball with S Rajesh06-Feb-2006In a game where bat dominated ball almost right from the start, both teams will probably look back at the last six overs of the Indian innings as the phase which turned out to be the most critical. After 44, India were cruising along at 300 for 4 – a run-rate of 6.82. In the next six overs, that rate fell drastically to 4.67, as Pakistan nailed six wickets, starting with the crucial scalp of Sachin Tendulkar in the 45th over. No over fetched more than seven, and a total which appeared headed towards the 340-plus mark finished up only on 328.Even that total was a huge one, but Pakistan’s batting, led by Salman Butt, ensured that the Indians were on the back foot very quickly. The most impressive aspect of his batting was the manner in which he scored runs almost equally off all the Indian bowlers – the bowler who finished up with the best economy rate against him was Zaheer Khan, and even he went for 15 from 18 balls.

Zaheer Khan 18 15 5.00 Irfan Pathan 42 37 5.29 Ajit Agarkar 14 13 5.57 Murali Kartik 18 18 6.00 S Sreesanth 15 18 7.20The performance which would have most pleased the Indian fans was Sachin Tendulkar’s hundred. Plenty had been written about him after his failure in the Tests, but he answered the critics in the manner he knows best – with runs off the bat. Tendulkar didn’t start as fluently as he normally does – against the fast bowlers (Naved-ul-Hasan, Asif, Gul and Razzaq) he only scored 41 off 66 balls. Against the slow bowlers, though, Tendulkar was in his elements, milking 59 from 47. With the confidence back, he could well be more aggressive against the fast bowlers through the rest of the series.

With player feedback calling for no compromise on other formats, and travel and training requirements to be factored in, ACA’s chief executive calls CA’s home-and-away proposal a “significant change over a short space of time”

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2018With an increasingly cramped playing schedule, the Australia Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has called for a careful approach to Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland’s proposal to expand the Big Bash League season. Should Sutherland and the CA board have their way, the Big Bash will evolve into a full home-and-away league in 2018-19. More significantly, this would mean teams would play 14 games each instead of the existing 10. Also, the semi-finals and final would be moved to the middle of February so as to give the tournament more breathing space and greater play as far as airtime is concerned.The ACA, however, felt such changes needed to find the right balance to ensure all stakeholders are happy. ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson pointed out that the BBL was an eight-round competition as early as in 2016-17, and that these changes were “significant over a short space of time.” He also cautioned against favouring one format of the game over the others. “The players love playing Big Bash cricket, and it’s great for the sport,” he said in a statement responding to Sutherland’s proposal. “It’s one of the best examples of the partnership between CA and the players working well, and highlights how the players have driven innovation and the growth of cricket.”Our feedback from the players is moving from the current 10-round season to an expanded competition must consider the potential impact on other aspects of the schedule,” Nicholson said. “One format of the game shouldn’t compromise another is a clear message from the players. And the 2018/19 summer is going to be a tough schedule to balance. But, with both a 50-over World Cup and an away Ashes series in mid-2019, it is vital all formats are taken in to consideration.”In January, Sutherland had told ESPNcricinfo that the BBL hadn’t reached a “proper climax” in the past, and was as such sandwiched between ODI cricket and T20s that are played during the end of the month. In 2016-17, for example, Australia played Pakistan in an ODI in Sydney on January 22. The two BBL semi-finals were played on January 24 and 25. Another ODI took place on January 26, and then the BBL final was held in Perth on January 28. With a new cycle of television rights coming up, Sutherland reckoned that stretching the tournament to the first two weeks of February would create greater interest around the knockout games.”We’ve seen clearly that the BBL and international cricket can co-exist and do at this time of year, particularly through the peak summer period, and then in February as we go into touring in other parts of the world. I think the climax of the BBL season can come through the first couple of weeks of February. Ultimately, we’ll play more games, it may well mean we play more double-headers. We certainly don’t want to be, by having more rounds, extending the season by a month. That’s not the intention. It’s about finding that balance.”Nicholson, though, felt that apart from balancing the three formats, the players’ welfare, training and travel requirements, existing schedule, and the fans’ appetite for the competition needed to be factored in. The players’ feedback, according to the ACA, includes the desire to retain the Sheffield Shield final in March in the long term. It also highlighted the reluctance of a majority of the players to play BBL or WBBL cricket on Christmas Day.Nicholson also batted for an increase in the number of games in the 50-over Women’s National League from the existing six games-a-side format, while also making a case for more longer-form games after a successful women’s Ashes Test. “Australian domestic cricket continues to produce the best high-performance environment for our elite players,” Nicholson said. “Our women’s domestic competition is the best in the world, and it produces an outstanding national team. Women’s cricket continues to break new ground and this should be across all formats of the game. The female players simply want to play more 50-over cricket to complement the ongoing success of the WBBL.”

Hampshire continued their winning start to this season’s Natwest T20 Blast campaign thanks to a Man-of-the-Match performance by Michael Carberry

ECB Reporters Network14-Jul-2017
ScorecardMichael Carberry summoned some of the old magic [file picture]•Getty ImagesMiddlesex were still closed away in the dressing room, refusing requests for interviews, more than a hour after a spectacular collapse against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl consigned them to a 29-run defeat in the NatWest Blast.Even that was something of a release for Middlesex, who found themselves 74 for 7 in the 13th over before Tim Southee hammered five sixes in his 64 off 32 balls to narrow the margin.Hampshire were still comfortable winners, with young leg-spinner Mason Crane taking 3 for 15 off four overs and Reece Topley, Gareth Berg and Kyle Abbott all grabbing a wicket a piece.Crane said: “”Three good performances so far and everyone has contributed in all of them. It hasn’t been the same players in every game and that shows we have a strong team. The crowd were amazing. I’ve never seen it that full for a Hampshire game.”Hampshire continued their winning start thanks to a Man-of-the-Match performance by Michael Carberry, who smashed 77 off 45 balls and followed it up with two catches.The former England opener showed he is still capable of some devastating power hitting at the age of 36, while captain James Vince played some classy shots in his brief 34 to get his side on the front foot from the off.Vince won the toss and opted to bat first in his side’s first home game of the season, backing up his decision with six classy fours and a six in his quickfire 34 off 15, before skying one from Toby Roland-Jones high into the air only to be caught by Southee at square leg.Rilee Roussow and Carberry put on a measured 48-run partnership, ensuring the scoreboard ticked over, but the South African soon followed his captain back to the dressing room after clubbing a flat catch to James Franklin at long-on off the bowling of Nathan Sowter.Carberry followed up his 41 not out against Sussex on Wednesday night with a magnificent batting display in front of the Ageas Bowl crowd, placing a delicate shot through gully to reach his 50 off 32 balls. And the 36-year-old wasted no time in following that up with two sixes straight back down the ground and into jubilant crowd.A tough evening for the Middlesex bowlers showed no sign of easing up, as Aussie George Bailey smacked 28 off 19 balls, with a six and three fours, but Roland-Jones cut his innings short as it began to reach full flow having him caught at long-on by Dawid Malan.Shahid Afridi’s batting struggles continued, the 37-year-old failing to add anything to a tally of five runs in this year’s Blast competition when he was caught in the deep by Malan trying to power Roland-Jones for six.After looking as if they would set Middlesex a score of over 200 to win, the steady fall of wickets, including that of Carberry in the final over, bowled by Franklin, Hampshire managed 189 for 8.Roland-Jones, released by England from the Test squad, ended the pick of Middlesex’s bowlers after taking 4 for 39 off his four overs, while Franklin took three wickets in the last over of the innings to end with 3 for 19 off two overs.Hampshire continued as they started, Abbott sending Paul Stirling packing for just six runs and Topley following up with the wicket of dangerman Brendon McCullum, thanks to a stunning acrobatic catch from Rossouw at midwicket. England captain Eoin Morgan put up some resistance, making 23 off 22, before wicketkeeper John Simpson and New Zealander Southee came together in an eighth-wicket stand of 86 to try and salvage the game.Southee reached a half-century off 28 balls, while Simpson made 37 off 34 as Middlesex fell 29 runs short.

Hollywood superstar Timothee Chalamet has used Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to help promote his new film ‘Marty Supreme’, with the teenage forward living proof that you should always 'dream big'. Chalamet has shared an iconic image of teen sensation Yamal alongside Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi to help hammer home his point that anything is possible.

Heir to Messi: Yamal following in illustrious footsteps

Yamal famously starred in an advertising campaign with Barcelona legend Messi when just a baby. That picture has resurfaced on countless occasions since, with it remarkable to think that that new arrival to the world is now following in the most illustrious of footsteps.

Having made his own way through the fabled La Masia academy system, making his senior debut at just 15 years of age, Yamal is now considered to be a suitable heir to Messi’s crown as the king of world football.

AdvertisementSuperstar status: Yamal is now a global icon

Yamal’s exploits have, just like Messi, attracted interest from across the globe. His level of celebrity already transcends his chosen profession, with the youngster much more than a football player. He boasts support in every corner of the planet.

That includes Hollywood, with famous faces in the United States fully aware of who Yamal is and what he is capable of. His story is an intriguing one and helps to showcase what can be achieved through a mixture of ability and hard work.

Yamal helps Chalamet to promote new movie

Chalamet – the star of blockbuster movies such as ‘Wonka’ and ‘Dune’, who is dating Kim Kardashian’s sister Kylie Jenner – is among those to have been taken in by Yamal’s remarkable rise to prominence.

He is, as an A-list actor, somebody that appreciates an inspirational true story. He is proving as much after returning to the big screen in ‘Marty Supreme’ – a tale loosely inspired by American table tennis player Marty Reisman and his pursuit of fame in 1950s New York.

Chalamet is driving interest in that production, which hits cinemas on December 25, with a global promotional tour. He has drafted in assistance from Barcelona talisman Yamal, with the 18-year-old seen sporting the viral ‘Marty Supreme’ jacket.

Chalamet has shared an image of Yamal in that merchandise alongside a “DREAM BIG” message. He has also made a point of including the aforementioned photo of Yamal with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in an Instagram carousel.

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social gfx/ Getty ImagesThe story of Yamal baby picture with Messi

The picture in question was taken back in 2007 as part of a photoshoot for UNICEF. Joan Monfort, a Barcelona-based freelance photographer for the Associated Press, took the snap – which took on a life of its own after being shared on social media by Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui alongside the tagline: “The beginning of two legends.”

Monfort has since said of capturing an iconic moment: “UNICEF did a raffle in the neighbourhood of Roca Fonda in Mataro where Lamine's family lived. They signed up for the raffle to have their picture taken at the Camp Nou with a Barca player. And they won the raffle.

“He [Messi] didn't even know how to hold him at first. Messi is a pretty introverted guy, he's shy. He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. It was complicated.

“It’s very exciting to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation. It’s been really surprising, all this. We take so many photos, so many images. Some of them will remain.

“For Lamine to grow up to be a footballer, and to have this photo, I’m just really happy it happened. It’s especially nice in today’s football, when so much is to do with money and power.”

Yamal has sought to distance himself from the Messi comparisons that he continues to generate, with there a desire on his part to forge a unique legacy of his own. He is already a La Liga and European Championship title winner with Barcelona and Spain, with the expectation being that he will continue to “dream big” in the not too distant future when landing a first Ballon d’Or.