Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has praised Lionel Messi for his outstanding performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that no player performed better than the Argentine legend during the tournament.
The Spain international expressed his admiration for Messi in a social media post, describing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as the best player at the competition despite Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the final.
“No player was better than Messi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!” Yamal wrote.
The 19-year-old’s comments underline the respect he continues to hold for the former Barcelona captain, whose performances in North America attracted widespread attention despite Argentina falling short of retaining their world title.
Messi played a central role in Argentina’s journey to the final, recording eight goals and four assists during the tournament. His contributions helped the defending champions progress through the competition before they eventually lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time on July 19.
Spain secured the trophy through Ferran Torres’ decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina’s hopes of winning consecutive World Cup titles.
Despite Spain’s triumph, Yamal believes Messi’s individual performances placed him above the other players at the tournament. His assessment differs from FIFA’s official recognition, which saw Spain midfielder Rodri receive the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.
Messi finished with the Silver Ball, while France forward Kylian Mbappé claimed the Bronze Ball and the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Yamal’s praise comes from a player who experienced the final from the opposite side of the pitch. The Barcelona teenager featured prominently for Spain during their successful campaign, making the final a significant moment in his young international career.
The encounter also brought together two players from different generations who share a connection through Barcelona. Messi established himself as one of the club’s greatest players during his extraordinary career in Catalonia, while Yamal has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents to come through the club’s academy.
Their meeting in the World Cup final attracted considerable attention, with many observers viewing it as a symbolic encounter between an established legend and a rising star. After Spain’s victory, the pair shared an emotional embrace on the pitch.
Yamal later revealed that he thanked Messi for everything he had contributed to football, highlighting the admiration he has developed for the Argentine throughout his career.
The teenager’s latest comments also arrived after a difficult night at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where he finished third behind Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
In a separate social media message, Yamal thanked Messi for contacting him and offering encouragement.
“A big thank you to Leo Messi. Goat!
“Thank you for calling me, checking on me, and giving me your support. Your words meant a lot to me, especially after a difficult night.
“I truly appreciate it, Leo. Much love and respect!” Yamal wrote.
Although Yamal did not explicitly state that the Ballon d’Or result prompted Messi’s call, his message conveyed appreciation for the Argentine’s personal support.
The exchange offers another glimpse into the relationship between the two footballers, whose careers have become linked by their shared Barcelona connection and their performances on the international stage.
For Messi, the 2026 World Cup represented another opportunity to demonstrate his enduring influence at the highest level. At 39, he helped Argentina reach the final and produced impressive individual numbers, even though the team ultimately finished as runners-up.
For Yamal, the tournament marked another major milestone in his development. Winning the World Cup with Spain strengthened his growing reputation, while facing Messi in the final provided a memorable moment in a career that is still in its early stages.
Their contrasting experiences in the final did not diminish Yamal’s admiration for the Argentine. Instead, his comments showed that he evaluates Messi’s contribution beyond the final result and the individual awards presented at the tournament.
Although Rodri received FIFA’s Golden Ball, Yamal’s opinion adds to the debate over which player delivered the strongest individual performance at the World Cup. Messi’s eight goals and four assists provide a statistical measure of his influence, while Rodri’s role in Spain’s title-winning campaign formed part of the case for his recognition.
Ultimately, the official award and Yamal’s personal assessment reflect different judgments of the tournament’s standout performer.
For the Barcelona forward, however, there was little hesitation in expressing his view. His declaration that no player performed better than Messi reinforces the respect the Argentine continues to command among football’s leading talents, even as a new generation begins to establish its own legacy.
