Lamine Yamal decided to put an end to a conversation that always comes back whenever a young talent shows up in soccer. He made it clear that he doesn’t want to be compared to Lionel Messi and has no intention of trying to repeat anything that turned the Argentine star into an icon.
In his interview with CBS News, the Barcelona forward said he respects Messi and considers him the best of all time, but emphasized that he doesn’t plan to play like him or take on any role that resembles the former number 10.
Yamal’s words leave no room for doubt. He says he respects Messi “for what he was and what he represents to soccer” and repeats that he doesn’t want to be mistaken for the Argentine. He also says Messi knows that. It’s a simple, firm message from someone who seems to want room to grow without dealing with the pressure of a label that follows almost every young player who comes through Barcelona. Comparisons to Messi, Ronaldinho or any other big name are part of the sport, but Yamal makes it clear he’s not taking that deal.
Yamal’s view of his own game
When he explains how he sees himself on the field, Yamal highlights how different his approach is. He describes himself as someone who plays to entertain, not a player obsessed with numbers. For him, “fun” is the word that sums up what he wants from the sport. He says he doesn’t play with the intention of breaking records or piling up stats and that he wants people to enjoy watching. This way of seeing the game contrasts with an era in which almost everything is measured by metrics and rankings, and maybe that’s why it stands out.
Even so, Yamal doesn’t rule out the chance of scoring plenty of goals or making a direct impact on games. “I want to have fun and for kids to want to be like me. Obviously, if I score a lot of goals, even better, but I believe soccer is more than that.”
This kind of honesty helps explain why the comparisons to Messi feel so heavy, since Messi defined an era with his unbelievable numbers. Yamal prefers a lighter path.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup
When the topic shifts to the World Cup, he keeps the same confident tone. Yamal says he’s excited about the chance to represent Spain and believes the country is once again a serious contender for the title. He says he feels important and plans to make the most of the moment.
His “we’re going to win” shows that, even while rejecting comparisons, he doesn’t shy away from responsibility. And maybe it’s this mix of clarity and ambition that makes his stance so compelling at this stage of his career.