Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has named former Barcelona player Neymar as his football idol, describing the Brazilian as “a legend” and “totally different” from other players.
In an interview with CNN on Thursday, January 8, Yamal shared his admiration for Neymar, recalling how the Brazilian made an impact on him from a very young age. “Neymar has always been my idol… a star, a legend,” Yamal said. “I was five years old when I saw Neymar at Santos… and 7 years old when I saw him at the Camp Nou. It was incredible!”
The 17-year-old winger continued, “Yes, Messi was there who was also incredible… Ney was totally different.”
Yamal’s rise in football has been remarkable, especially after breaking into Barcelona’s first team. His performances have earned him recognition as one of the best young talents in the world. He played a key role in helping Spain win the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany.
Yamal’s exceptional talent was further acknowledged when he finished 8th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.
