Lamine Yamal Explains Why Lionel Messi is the Greatest of All Time: A Tribute from Barcelona’s Rising StarBarcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has once again expressed his deep admiration for Lionel Messi, revealing why he believes the Argentine icon is the greatest footballer in history.
The 17-year-old, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents to emerge from La Masia in recent years, has often drawn comparisons to Messi due to his position, playing style, and early breakthrough at the Catalan club.
Yamal made his first-team debut for Barcelona in April 2023, just under two years after Messi’s departure in August 2021.
Since then, the young winger has quickly risen through the ranks, becoming a regular starter and a key contributor to Barça’s success during the 2024/25 season — a campaign in which the club secured a domestic treble.In a recent interview with Chinese media, Yamal was asked about his footballing idols. Without hesitation, he praised Messi’s influence on his development and legacy in the sport:> “For me, Messi is the greatest player in history.
Everything he did, all over the pitch, everything about his game, I liked it all. Watching him was always something beautiful for me.”
A Passing of the Torch?The comparisons between Messi and Yamal have only grown louder over the past year.
With dazzling footwork, confidence on the right wing, and a maturity beyond his years, Yamal has been hailed as Messi’s spiritual successor at Barcelona.
Reports suggest the youngster is even set to inherit the club’s iconic number 10 shirt next season — a symbolic gesture that would reinforce the weight of expectations on his young shoulders.The bond between the two goes beyond admiration.
In 2024, at an Adidas promotional event in Germany, Messi was asked to identify a young player who reminds him of himself. His answer was direct:>
“There’s an incredible generation of young players with many years ahead of them.
If I have to choose someone because of their age and future, I completely agree that Lamine Yamal has been pointed out.
He is the present and, without a doubt, has a great future.”Messi’s endorsement served as a monumental moment for Yamal, who — like Messi — was nurtured through La Masia and burst onto the scene with flair, vision, and a fearless attacking approach. While comparisons to Messi are inevitably premature, Yamal’s progress has been remarkable, and he is widely expected to be among the top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The Road AheadAs Barcelona continues its generational transition, Yamal stands at the forefront of a new era — one defined by youth, technical excellence, and renewed ambition under Hansi Flick.
With the club facing financial restraints and a need for internal development, players like Yamal represent more than just talent; they are symbols of the club’s identity and resilience.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to make headlines at Inter Miami, where he remains a global football ambassador and continues to perform at a high level. A tantalizing prospect awaits in March 2026, when Spain and Argentina are expected to meet in the Finalissima, potentially pitting Yamal and Messi against each other for the very first time on the international stage.
Should that encounter take place, it would offer a symbolic moment — the past and future of Barcelona sharing the same pitch, each representing their national teams, and perhaps completing a full-circle narrative that has been quietly building ever since Messi’s farewell and Yamal’s arrival.
