Lamine Yamal Names His Football Idol, and It’s Not Lionel Messi
- Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has snubbed Lionel Messi when naming his biggest 'idol' in football
- Many young football stars, especially those emerging from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, view Messi as their ultimate idol
- However, Yamal thinks otherwise , choosing another Bracelona legend as his role model instead of the Argentine
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has surprised fans by naming Neymar Junior not Lionel Messi, as his biggest footballing idol.
The 17-year-old, who has become a key player for the Catalan giants, recently spoke to CNN about his inspirations, his future with the club, and Barcelona’s chances in the La Liga title race.
Source: Getty Images
Yamal, who has become the face of Barcelona's future, reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
"Barça is the club of my life. I hope to renew my contract with them and to be with them as long as possible," he said.
He emphasised his desire to continue in Spain, adding:
"I want to play for Barça, and yes, I will renew my contract. I will."
Yamal names his football idol
When asked about his footballing idol, the young Spanish superstar reminisced about Neymar, whom he first saw playing for Santos at the age of five before watching him live at Camp Nou.
"It was incredible to see him," he said via Tribuna. Yes, it’s true that Messi was also incredible, but Neymar was something totally different," he said. Calling Neymar "a star and a football legend," Yamal cited the Brazilian's unique style as the reason for his admiration.
Yamal also touched on Barcelona’s current La Liga campaign and their rivalry with Real Madrid. Confident in his team’s abilities, he stated:
“La Liga will be won against the teams we’ve previously lost to. It’s about focus. We’ve shown in important moments that we are the best and will continue to do so."
Beyond football, Yamal’s marketability is soaring. He is already the face of Adidas, Beats, Powerade, Oppo, Konami, Nesquik, and serves as a UNICEF ambassador, a testament to his growing influence both on and off the pitch.
In the meantime, Barcelona views the move as a natural evolution of the “Lamine phenomenon,” celebrating the player’s professionalism and commitment to the club he joined at just 12 years old.
For now, fans can still snap selfies with their hero, but those hoping for his autograph will soon have to get it the official way, and that may come at a financial cost.
Lamine Yamal makes highest-paid footballers 2025 list
In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh revealed that Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has earned a spot among the highest-paid footballers of 2025, marking another milestone in his rapidly rising career.
The teenage prodigy’s growing brand value and endorsement deals have propelled him into football’s financial elite alongside some of the game’s biggest global stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Mohamed Salah.
Source: YEN.com.gh
