Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has revealed that his football idol is none other than Brazilian superstar Neymar, describing him as a “legend” and a player unlike any other. The 17-year-old winger opened up about his admiration for Neymar during an interview with CNN, recounting his first encounters with the football icon.
“Neymar has always been my idol… a star, a legend,” Yamal said. “I was five years old when I saw Neymar at Santos… and seven when I saw him at the Camp Nou. It was incredible! Yes, Messi was there, who was also incredible… but Ney was totally different.”
Yamal, who has been a revelation for Barcelona since breaking into the first team, shared his excitement at meeting Neymar, now playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The Spanish international expressed gratitude for the inspiration Neymar has provided throughout his career.
Yamal’s meteoric rise has been one of the standout stories in football. He played a pivotal role in Spain’s victory at the 2024 Euros in Germany, solidifying his status as one of the best young talents in the game. Rated as the world’s top young footballer, Yamal also finished 8th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or power rankings—a remarkable feat for a teenager.
With comparisons to some of football’s greatest already swirling, Yamal’s connection to Neymar adds another layer to his journey as he continues to shine for both club and country.
