Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while thanking the Argentine for calling to offer support after a “difficult night”.
Yamal made the remarks in separate Facebook posts on Tuesday, expressing admiration for Messi’s performances and appreciation for his personal encouragement.
“No player was better than Messi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!” the Spain international wrote.
In another post, Yamal thanked the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for checking on him and offering words of support.
“A big thank you to Leo Messi. Goat!
“Thank you for calling me, checking on me, and giving me your support. Your words meant a lot to me, especially after a difficult night.
“I truly appreciate it, Leo. Much love and respect!” he wrote.
Yamal’s comments came after he finished third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, behind winner Harry Kane and runner-up Kylian Mbappe at Monday’s ceremony in London.
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Although Yamal referred to a “difficult night”, he did not explicitly link Messi’s call to the Ballon d’Or outcome.
The Barcelona teenager has made several social media posts praising Messi since the ceremony, reaffirming his admiration for the Argentine football legend.
