Lamine Yamal praises Messi as 'the best in history' but cites Neymar as his idol
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger, acknowledges Lionel Messi's greatness while revealing that Neymar is his true footballing idol, ahead of Spain's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia.
Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old winger for Barcelona, has expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi, labeling the Argentine as the greatest football player of all time. However, he surprised fans by stating that his primary idol in football is former Barcelona star Neymar.
Yamal's rapid rise in global football has not diminished his respect for those who have influenced his career. In an interview with RTVE, he made it clear that Messi's legacy is undeniable. "I think that in every match he shows that he is the best player in history," Yamal commented. He added, "If someone has doubts, it is because they are looking for them; there is nothing more to say there. For me, he is the best."
The impact of Neymar's style is evident in Yamal's gameplay. His dribbling skills, agility, and fearless approach to taking on defenders reflect Neymar's influence. When asked who has shaped his playing style the most, Yamal replied without hesitation, "Obviously, my idol is Neymar because I like watching him play, but Messi is the best, and there is no discussion about that."
As Spain prepares for their upcoming World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, Yamal has expressed caution regarding his physical fitness. Following recent injury setbacks, he is focused on gradually returning to peak condition rather than rushing back into play. He emphasized the importance of not overexerting himself too soon, stating, "I think it's very soon; it's unnecessary. I have a process of adaptation first. I don't think it's the time to play a whole game, but I can play the minutes that the coach wants." Yamal also admitted to worrying that his injuries might have jeopardized his place on the squad, noting that the tournament has been his primary focus during recovery.
Looking ahead to the knockout stages of the tournament, Yamal is not seeking an easy path to the finals. He is aware of potential formidable opponents like Argentina in the round of 16 and welcomes the challenge. He believes that to achieve championship status, Spain must be ready to face any team, regardless of their star players like Messi or Kylian Mbappe. "We are Spain and we want to play against the best," he asserted, emphasizing that he is not fixated on individual goal-scoring records. "My style of play is another, and I am focused on enjoying and winning. I don't want to score 16 goals and be eliminated in the semi-finals. It's not what I'm looking for."
