Lamine Yamal Wins Laureus Award and Hails Lionel Messi as the Greatest

Lamine Yamal received the Laureus World Youth Athlete award in Madrid, highlighting his rapid rise at FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old called Lionel Messi the greatest ever and his inspiration. Yamal also shared his dream of playing and winning the FIFA World Cup with his national team.

In the Spanish capital of Madrid, Lamine Yamal enjoyed a memorable evening at the Palacio de Cibeles, where he was honoured with the Laureus World Sports Academy Award for World Youth Athlete of the Year. At just 18, the FC Barcelona forward continues to rise rapidly in world football, and the award highlighted his growing global impact. The prize was presented by Brazilian legend Cafu, adding further prestige to the occasion.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Yamal acknowledged the responsibility that comes with fame at such a young age. He admitted that being a role model for many young fans means he must be careful with his actions and words, though he also accepted that mistakes are part of his learning process. The young star openly expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi, calling him the greatest footballer in history and a true inspiration across all sports.

Yamal hopes to follow a similar path in his career. He also spoke about modern football culture, noting how social media plays a key role in connecting with fans. Looking ahead, his biggest ambition remains representing his country at the FIFA World Cup and achieving success on that stage.