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Vinicius Jr has lavished high praise on Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, claiming that the Spanish youngster possesses the kind of exceptional ability that could see him win the World Cup for Spain entirely on his own. The Real Madrid forward, despite the intense rivalry between the two clubs, expressed admiration for Yamal’s extraordinary skill and influence ahead of the upcoming global tournament.

Putting rivalry aside

The fierce competition between Real Madrid and Barcelona is among the most heated in world football, yet Vinicius has chosen to look beyond club loyalties to acknowledge Yamal’s brilliance. Speaking to Caze TV, the 25-year-old Brazilian forward offered glowing praise for his La Liga rival, stating: “Spain have Lamine Yamal, who is one of the best players in the world. He does incredible things on the pitch. He is a player who can win the World Cup single-handedly. He is one of those players you pay to watch play.”

Unstoppable form for club and country

Yamal, who secured second place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, has been in breathtaking form for both club and country. Across 151 appearances for Barcelona, the teenage sensation has tallied 49 goals and 52 assists. His current season has been equally spectacular, producing 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches across all competitions. Alongside three Spanish league titles, Yamal has already earned 25 international caps and captured the 2024 European Championship title with Spain, scoring six times since making his debut in September 2023. Currently, he is working hard to recover from an injury setback to be fully fit to lead Spain’s charge this summer.

Consistent excellence at the top level

Though Real Madrid have endured some domestic difficulties recently, Vinicius remains a key attacking powerhouse. The 2024 FIFA Best Men’s Player has amassed 375 appearances for the Madrid giants, contributing 128 goals and 100 assists. During the 2025–26 campaign, he netted 22 goals and provided 14 assists across 53 matches. With two Champions League triumphs and three league titles already to his name, Vinicius will spearhead Brazil’s attack in the tournament.

Preparation for the World Cup

Both Vinicius and Yamal are now turning their attention towards the upcoming World Cup after a gruelling club season. Spain are set to play warm-up matches against Iraq and Peru before beginning their Group H campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde, followed by fixtures against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Meanwhile, Brazil have friendly fixtures lined up against Panama and Egypt ahead of their Group C opener versus Morocco on June 13. The Seleção will then complete their group stage encounters with matches against Haiti and Scotland, as both nations aim to make a strong impression in the world’s most prestigious football competition.