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Lamine Yamal has shared his thoughts on the long-standing debate surrounding Lionel Messi’s legacy, describing the Argentine star as the greatest footballer in history. However, the young Barcelona and Spain forward surprised many fans by revealing that his true footballing inspiration has always been Neymar.

The GOAT debate

Although Yamal has quickly risen to prominence with both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, the 18-year-old remains humble and respectful towards the legends who came before him. When asked about Messi’s status in world football, the teenager made his admiration crystal clear.

“I think that in every match he shows that he is the best player in history,” Yamal said to RTVE. “If someone has doubts, it is because they are looking for them; there is nothing more to say there. For me, he is the best.”

Neymar is Yamal’s idol

Yamal’s style of play bears clear traces of Neymar’s influence — from his confident dribbling and rapid footwork to his boldness in taking on defenders. The Barcelona prodigy has openly acknowledged that the Brazilian forward’s flair has shaped his approach to the game more than anyone else.

“Obviously, my idol is Neymar because I like watching him play, but Messi is the best, and there is no discussion about that,” Yamal admitted.

Fitness concerns and World Cup preparation

As Spain gear up for their upcoming World Cup clash with Saudi Arabia, Yamal has spoken cautiously about his fitness. Having recently recovered from injury, the winger emphasised that he is focusing on a gradual return to peak condition rather than pushing himself too hard too soon. He said that playing a full 90 minutes might still be too early as he continues his recovery process.

“I think it's very soon; it's unnecessary. I have a process of adaptation first. I don't think it's the time to play a whole game, but I can play the minutes that the coach wants,” he explained. Yamal also revealed that he had worried about missing out on the tournament entirely due to his injuries, saying the World Cup was all he could think about during his rehabilitation.

Ambition to face football’s elite

Looking forward to the knockout stages, Yamal is eager for Spain to test themselves against the strongest teams. With potential matchups against powerhouses like Argentina on the horizon, the youngster welcomed the challenge. He believes that to win the World Cup, Spain must be ready to defeat any opponent, no matter how star-studded their lineup — whether it features Messi or Kylian Mbappe.

“We are Spain and we want to play against the best,” he said confidently, adding that personal goal-scoring records are not his main concern. “My style of play is another, and I am focused on enjoying and winning. I don't want to score 16 goals and be eliminated in the semi-finals. It's not what I'm looking for.”