Neymar praises Lamine Yamal: best player in the world

The Brazilian star Neymar has praised the talent of Lamine Yamal, a player for Barcelona, describing him as the "best player in the world" in a message that reflects his admiration for the levels the young player is showing with the Catalan team.

Neymar shared a story on his Instagram account comparing his stats from the 2017-2018 season, when he was a player at Paris Saint-Germain, with those of Lamine Yamal at the start of the 2026-2027 season. He accompanied the post with the phrase "Best player in the world."

A comparison highlights the significant attacking impact of the players; Neymar scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists during 27 matches in the 2017-2018 season, with a rating of 8.81 points according to Sofascore data. In contrast, Lamine Yamal scored 8 goals and assisted 9 others in his first 10 official matches this season, totaling 17 goal contributions, with a rating of 8.61 points.

According to the ranking published, Neymar occupies the first position, while Lamine Yamal is in second place. It is noted that the season is still in its early stages, giving the Spanish player an opportunity to improve his numbers in the upcoming period.

It is not just about admiration for the technical level; Neymar is one of Lamine Yamal's most prominent role models since his childhood. The young player has previously expressed his admiration for the style of the Brazilian star, who left a remarkable mark during his time at Barcelona, where he played 186 official matches, scored 105 goals, and provided 76 assists, winning the UEFA Champions League with the team.

The relationship between the players has also developed off the pitch, as Neymar hosted Lamine Yamal and a group of friends at his home in Brazil during the summer of 2025, in a holiday that saw a closeness between the two stars who share a passion for dribbling and football creativity.