Lamine Yamal Praises Messi as the Greatest, Yet Names Neymar as His Idol
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal calls Lionel Messi the best in history while revealing Neymar as his footballing idol, as he prepares for Spain's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia.
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old winger from Barcelona, has expressed his views on the ongoing debate regarding Lionel Messi's status in football history, declaring the Argentine as the greatest of all time. However, he surprised many by stating that his true idol is Neymar, the former Barcelona star.
Yamal has quickly risen through the ranks in global football, representing both Barcelona and Spain. Despite his success, he remains grounded and acknowledges the players who have influenced his career. In an interview with RTVE, he stated, "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 Neymar has had on Yamal's playing style is evident. The young player's audacious dribbling and fearless approach to taking on defenders reflect many of Neymar's signature moves. When asked about the player who has shaped his footballing style, Yamal responded, "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 World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, Yamal is being cautious about his physical condition. He has faced injury challenges recently and is focusing on a gradual return to full intensity rather than rushing back into a heavy workload. He mentioned, "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."
The young winger also expressed concerns that his recent injuries might have jeopardized his position in the squad, emphasizing that the tournament was at the forefront of his mind during his rehabilitation.
Looking ahead to the knockout stages, Yamal is not seeking an easy route to the final. With formidable teams like Argentina potentially awaiting in the round of 16, he welcomes the challenge. He believes that to become champions, Spain must be ready to face any opponent, regardless of their reputation or the presence of star players such as Messi or Kylian Mbappe. "We are Spain and we want to play against the best," he asserted. Yamal added that he is not fixated on personal goal-scoring records, stating, "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."
