Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has revealed that former club star Neymar is his football idol, describing the Brazilian as a legend and unique among players.
In an interview with CNN, Yamal reflected on his admiration for Neymar, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
“Neymar has always been my idol—a star, a legend,” Yamal said. “I first saw him playing for Santos when I was five years old, and by the time I was seven, I watched him at Camp Nou. It was incredible!”
The Spanish international also highlighted Neymar’s distinct playing style, saying, “Yes, Messi was there and was amazing, but Ney was totally different.”
Yamal has made waves since breaking into Barcelona’s first team and played a key role in Spain’s victorious 2024 Euros campaign in Germany.
At just 17 years old, he is widely regarded as the best young footballer in the world and recently secured 8th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.