Barcelona president Joan Laporta has ignited a spirited debate by proclaiming Lamine Yamal as the best winger in the world. This bold statement follows Yamal's exceptional 2024-25 season, during which he tallied 13 goals and 18 assists, contributing significantly to Barcelona's domestic treble.
Adding to the fanfare, the 18-year-old Yamal has inherited the iconic number 10 shirt at the club, a symbol previously worn by Lionel Messi, further fueling comparisons to the Argentinian legend. During a pre-season exhibition, Yamal underscored his potential by netting two goals in a 7-3 victory over Seoul.
Laporta, however, has urged fans to resist comparing Yamal directly to Messi, emphasizing that the young winger is forging his own path to greatness. The president noted, "Lamine Yamal is Lamine Yamal, Leo Messi was Leo Messi. Leo Messi has been the best player in the world, and Lamine is the best player in the world (in his position)."
"Messi won everything, Messi did everything, for me probably the best player in history, but the world continues and [there] appears new geniuses," Laporta continued. "The new geniuses that are appearing nowadays are players like Lamine Yamal, like Pedri, like Raphinha." He added, "In the case of Lamine, there are not too many players like him because he’s a genius, and he’s the top level."
Laporta also emphasized the importance of Yamal's happiness and well-being. "I think that the most important thing is that he enjoys the team. It is very important that he feels good, that he can stay with his colleagues on the pitch, enjoying playing football, and out of the pitch, enjoying as a boy that likes a normal life."
Concluding his remarks, Laporta stated, "He is very professional, and he knows that to be the best and to be at the top, he needs to be fit, he needs to train, he needs to follow the advice of the coach and the people that are around him and basically to feel happy, to feel that he’s enjoying playing football."
Yamal is slated to participate in Barcelona's final pre-season game in South Korea against Daegu. His development and performances will be closely monitored as he embarks on what is hoped to be a stellar career.
