‘He’s the Best’: Messi Gives Barcelona Heir Lamine Yamal his blessing

At a glance

• Lionel Messi gave Lamine Yamal his blessing at an Adidas event.
• The Argentine called his fellow FC Barcelona number 10 “the best”.
• Lamine is currently out injured, but should make the World Cup that might be Lionel Messi’s last.

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Lionel Messi has given Lamine Yamal his blessing by calling the FC Barcelona youngster “the best” of the current crop coming through.

Speaking at an adidas event and asked about which player reminds him of himself at that age, Messi said: “There’s a new generation of footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them. But if I have to choose one because of age, for what he has done so far and for the future he may have, it’s Lamine”.

“There’s no doubt, for me he’s the best,” the ‘GOAT’ added.

Q: "Who is the player that when you watch, you say ‘that's me when I was younger!’?”

Messi: "If I have to choose a player who resembles me a lot when I was young, I'd say Lamine Yamal." pic.twitter.com/yn0OsarRQC

— M. (@fcbliveaddict) May 8, 2026

Lamine receives praise from the highest of places

While Lamine has always made it clear that Neymar is his personal idol, he’s repeatedly been respectful of Messi calling him the greatest player of all time.

Recently receiving a gong at the Laureus Awards, Lamine said that Messi is “the best player in history, and if he isn’t the greatest athlete ever, he’s definitely in that conversation with all of them”.

“He’s more than an idol. I think everyone respects him for everything he’s done. He’s been part of the childhood of every kid when we played in the park or at school, and I hope I’ll be able to follow in his footsteps,” Lamine added.

As left footed La Masia products that both wear or wore the Blaugrana number 10, the comparisons between Messi and Lamine have been constant.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to see them face off the Finalissima. Yet that might be rectified at the World Cup.

Lamine is currently out injured with a season-ending hamstring injury, but he’s expected to make Spain’s squad.

There’s still uncertainty as to whether Messi will help Argentina defend their title won at Qatar 2022. And though it also depends on how far each country gets, Messi’s rumoured testimonial match at the Spotify Camp Nou could be another possible occasion to enjoy them sharing a pitch.