Lamine Yamal on Lionel Messi: ‘The best player at the World Cup’

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has praised Lionel Messi as the best player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yamal, who won the tournament with Spain by defeating Messi's Argentina in the final, shared his praise during an interview with Movistar. Despite Spain's victory, Yamal highlighted Messi's outstanding individual performance throughout the tournament.

Messi finished second in both goals and assists during the World Cup, while leading in completed dribbles, key passes, and big chances created. Although Spain's Rodri won the tournament's official best player award, Yamal stated that nobody expected the 39-year-old Messi to perform at such an incredible level.