Lionel Messi has showered high praise on Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, declaring the 17-year-old as already among the best players in the world.
Speaking in a recent interview with Simplemente Futbol, the football icon expressed admiration for Yamal’s rapid rise and achievements at such a young age, particularly his starring role in Spain’s Euro triumph last summer, where he became the youngest player to play and score in the tournament’s history, eventually claiming the Golden Boy award.
“It’s impressive what Lamine Yamal shows… he’s already been a Euro champion with Spain,” Messi said. “He’s still only 17, he’s in a growth process, and he’ll continue to grow as a player and add things to his game, just like I did. He has incredible qualities and he’s already one of the best players in the world.”
Yamal has been key for Barcelona this season as they lead La Liga by four points, prepare for a Champions League semi-final against Inter, and look ahead to a Copa del Rey final clash with Real Madrid.
If Yamal helps Barca secure a continental treble while already boasting a European Championship medal with Spain he may well be writing one of the greatest opening chapters to a football career ever.
