Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has weighed in on football's greatest of all time (GOAT) debate, naming Lionel Messi as his pick for the sport's finest player in history.
The 17-year-old rising star, who has already drawn comparisons to Messi himself, made his declaration during a press event in China where he expressed his admiration for the Argentine legend.
"For me, Messi is the greatest player in history," Yamal stated. "Everything he did, all over the pitch, everything about his game, I liked it all, and it has truly been something beautiful for me."
The admiration appears to be mutual, as Messi has previously spoken highly of Yamal, who has been making waves in European football since his breakthrough at Barcelona. The young Spaniard's remarkable performances have already established him as one of football's most exciting prospects.
Football analysts suggest Yamal could potentially join Messi on the list of 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees, a remarkable achievement for a player of his age and a testament to his rapid development at the highest level of the sport.
Yamal's comments come amid the ongoing debate between football fans worldwide about who deserves the GOAT title, with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo typically dominating these discussions.
The young Barcelona star has previously rejected direct comparisons to Messi, acknowledging the immense legacy of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner while carving out his own path in the football world.
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