Barcelona Lamine Yamal has received the ultimate approval from Lionel Messi while approaching the end of his second full season.
The Spain International has been sensational for Club and Land since its breakthrough in Catalonia in 2023.
The 17-year-old is a first choice for Hansi Flick and Luis de la Fuente while his stock continues to rock after winning the Kopa trophy and Golden Boy Double at the end of 2024.
11 La Liga Assists places him at the top of that graph in the Spanish top flight and he is also at the top of a series of other statistics, including fitting in the penalty area, through balls, target actions and successful Take-Ons.
Messi has opened his opinion about the teenage sensation as part of his assessment of the best players in world football at the moment.
“Children watch and imitate everything, they know everyone and follow everyone, the players they are talking about are Mbappe, Vini Junior, Haaland, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal,” he told an interview with the Simplente Fútbol YouTube channel.
“It is impressive what Lamine Yamal does and has already achieved. He is already a European champion at Spain.
“He is only 17, in the middle of a growth process, and will continue to grow and contribute, just like me.
“He has an incredible quality and is already one of the best players in the world.”
The shape of Lamine Yamal in the last weeks of the season will be crucial for the Treble -Hoop of Barcelona as the team of Flick de la Liga title, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.
Messi concludes a decision about his future in Inter Miami with his current contract at the end of 2025 in line with the MLS season.
His plan for Captain Argentina on the FIFA World Cup 2026 stays on schedule and it is expected to sign an extension until at least after the tournament.