Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has named Lionel Messi as the greatest player in football history. In an interview with Egyptian television channel On Sport's "Min Cairo" program, Yamal was asked to choose between Messi, Pele, and Diego Maradona. He chose Messi, citing everything the Argentine has done and continues to do. Yamal's comments add to the long-standing connection between the Barcelona youngster and the club's most decorated former player.
Yamal and Messi share a connection through Barcelona's La Masia academy, although their senior careers at the club never overlapped. Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after spending over two decades at the club, while Yamal made his first-team debut in 2023 and has since developed into one of the central figures in Barcelona's attack. The pair also shared a memorable moment following the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Yamal recalled embracing Messi after Spain's victory and thanking him for everything he had given to football. In the same interview with On Sport, Yamal discussed several other subjects, including Barcelona, Egyptian football, and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. He described Salah as a "great and very important player" and also spoke positively about Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim.
Yamal predicted a promising future for Abdelkarim, but when the conversation turned to the greatest player the sport has produced, his answer was unequivocal. He chose Messi despite comparisons that have increasingly followed him during his rise at Barcelona. Yamal's playing style, La Masia background, and early success have inevitably drawn parallels with the Argentine.
However, Yamal has repeatedly spoken about building his own career rather than trying to replicate another player's path. He continues to cite Messi as the standard he admires most. Egyptian outlet Youm7 reported Yamal describing Messi as "the greatest player in football history." Yamal's comments were also reported by Kooora.
The 19-year-old's admiration for Messi is well-known, and his choice comes as no surprise. Yamal has often spoken about the impact Messi has had on his career and the sport as a whole. The Barcelona winger's comments are likely to spark further debate about the greatest player in football history.
Yamal's interview with On Sport covered a range of topics, showcasing his knowledge and passion for the sport. His choice of Messi as the greatest player in football history is a testament to the Argentine's enduring legacy. As Yamal continues to develop his career, he will likely be compared to Messi for years to come.
Key points
- Lamine Yamal chooses Lionel Messi as the greatest player in football history.
- Yamal cites Messi's career and continued performances as the reason for his choice.
- Yamal and Messi share a connection through Barcelona's La Masia academy.
