Lamine Yamal Praises Messi as 'the Best in History' but Reveals Neymar is His Idol
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger, considers Lionel Messi the greatest footballer ever while naming Neymar as his idol, as he prepares for Spain's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia.
Lamine Yamal, the rising star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi, calling the Argentine player the greatest of all time. The 18-year-old winger surprised many by stating that his true footballing idol is Neymar, the former Barcelona player.
Yamal has quickly risen through the ranks in global football, but he remains humble and grateful to those who have influenced his career. In a recent interview with RTVE, he expressed strong admiration for Messi's legacy, stating, "I think that in every match he shows that he is the best player in history. 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 on Yamal's playing style is evident in his approach to the game. The young winger has adopted several of Neymar's distinctive traits, including his bold dribbling and agility in taking on defenders. When asked about the player who has most influenced his style, Yamal confidently replied, "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 gears up for their upcoming World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, Yamal is cautious about his physical condition. Having recently faced injury challenges, he is focusing on a careful return to full fitness instead of rushing back into a demanding schedule. He noted that playing a full 90 minutes might be too soon in the tournament, emphasizing his need to manage his recovery: "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," he explained.
Yamal also shared his concerns about potentially losing his spot in the squad due to injuries, highlighting that the tournament has been his primary focus during his rehabilitation.
Looking ahead to the knockout stages, Yamal is not seeking an easy route to the finals. As Spain may face formidable opponents like Argentina in the round of 16, he embraces the challenge, believing that to win the championship, Spain must be ready to face any team, regardless of their star players such as Messi or Kylian Mbappe. "We are Spain and we want to play against the best," he asserted, stressing that he is not fixated on individual 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."
