Lamine Yamal continues to be one of the most talked-about talents in world sport, with his early professional performances attracting the attention of the most prestigious awards.
The Barcelona striker is already a two-time winner of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
In the 2026 edition, the 18-year-old was honored with the "Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year" award, becoming one of the most prominent names of the evening.
During his speech, he expressed gratitude to the Academy, his family, and the figures who voted for him.
Yamali also spoke about the legend Lionel Messi, placing him among the best in the history of the sport.
"When you realize that an athlete is not just a legend of his sport, but of all of sport - Messi, for me, is the best player in history, and if he's not the greatest athlete ever, then he's definitely in that conversation," he said.
Messi had previously won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2020 and 2023, solidifying his global status as a sporting icon.
Yamali described Messi as a figure who has influenced every child who has played football.
"He is more than an idol. He has been part of the childhood of every child who has played in the park or at school," said the Spaniard.
Yamali's performances have been crucial to Barcelona's successes in the 2025 season, where the club won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, as well as playing a major role in the journey to the Champions League.
He had also previously won the "Breakthrough of the Year" award for his role in the Spanish national team's triumph at EURO 2024, becoming one of the youngest footballers to make a mark on the international stage.
In the end, Yamali emphasized that these awards represent a new generation of athletes.
"I believe that sport has the power to change the world. This trophy represents a new generation that can make that change," he concluded./Express newspaper/
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