At a glance
- Lamine Yamal became the first ever winner of the Laureus Young Sportsperson of the Year Award on Monday.
- He dedicated the gong, received in Madrid, to his team and family.
- Once more, however, the La Masia whizzkid had to answer to comparisons to Lionel Messi, who he called the greatest player of all time.
FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal called his fellow La Masia graduate Lionel Messi “the best footballer in history” upon receiving the Laureus Young Sportsperson of the Year Award on Monday evening.
Lamine became the first athlete to be awarded the gong at a starstudded ceremony in Madrid. He thanked his team and family for supporting him, and called the turn of events “very special for me”.
As is common, however, when it comes to Lamine, Messi’s name inevitably popped up. Lamine called the Argentine “the best footballer in history”.
“But if he’s not also the best athlete in history, he’ll be up there,” Lamine claimed. “Everyone respects him for everything he has done, I hope I can continue on his path.”
Already wearing Messi’s number 10 shirt and closing in on his third La Liga title in four years, Lamine is certainly on the right track.
He’s a European champion with Spain, a Ballon d’Or runner up, and has also reached the Champions League semifinals.
Going far with La Roja at the World Cup – held by Messi’s Argentina – would also be something, and Lamine is looking forward to this summer’s tournament in the United States.
“I’m very excited. I’ve dreamed of being at a World Cup since I was a child. Of being able to see my mother in the stands, of representing the national team. It’ll be two months that will be short for me and obviously I hope that we’ll be champions,” Lamine said.
Barcelona gem Lamine Yamal continues to show maturity
Again showing maturity beyond his years, Lamine explained how “it’s hard for you to realize that you have a responsibility and you can’t make a mistake because you’re an example for many children”.
“But I take it as a good thing. That’s why whenever I send a message I try to do it with meaning and with the aim of helping more people. Taking this into account, sometimes I will make a mistake but I am 18 years old,” he confessed.
Celebrating his 19th birthday in July, the awards continue to rack up for Lamine. He has a long road ahead, but ultimately his legacy will be decided by the biggest prizes such as the Ballon d’Or Messi has won eight times, the Champions League, and the World Cup.
As a protagonist in the strongest Barca and Spain sides in a generation, he’s in good standing to bring them home without mentioning his abundant talent.
