‘Nobody expected it’ – Lamine Yamal names ‘the best player’ at this summer’s World Cup | OneFootball

Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal has revealed his take that Blaugrana icon Lionel Messi was the standout performer at the World Cup in North America this summer.

Veteran attacker Messi of course conjured up nothing short of a spectacular individual campaign on football’s grandest stage earlier this year.

At times almost dragging his Argentina teammates through games, the 39-year-old racked up 12 direct goal contributions over the course of the tournament.

These exploits ultimately culminated in the Albiceleste being afforded the opportunity to defend their crown as world champions in a finale showdown with Luis de la Fuente’s Spain.

When all was said and done, though, even Messi’s brilliance could not account for the chasm in quality between the two sides.

But as alluded to above, one individual adamant that defeat in the final does not take away from what the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner managed at the 2026 World Cup is Lamine Yamal.

Speaking during an interview with Movistar (as cited by Fabrizio Romano) this week, Barcelona prodigy Lamine assured:

“Lionel Messi was the best player at the World Cup because of everything he represents and everything he did. Even though everyone knows Messi is the best player in history, nobody expected him to have such an incredible World Cup.”

Conor Laird – GSFN