The Digest:
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has named Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi as the best football player of all time. Speaking after winning the Best Young Athlete award at the 2026 Laureus Awards in Madrid, the Spain international said: "If he's not the best athlete of all time, he's certainly among them. Everyone respects him for what he's achieved, and I hope I can follow in his footsteps." Messi, 38, is the most decorated footballer with over 45 trophies.
Key Points:
- Yamal hopes to follow in Messi's footsteps as a Barcelona product.
- Messi is expected to play his last World Cup tournament this summer.
- The Argentine has won over 45 trophies, including the World Cup.
- Yamal won the Best Young Athlete award at the Laureus Awards.
- The young winger continues to draw comparisons to Messi.
Yamal's praise for Messi reflects the lasting legacy of the Argentine icon.
Sources: MARCA
