Overview
- The Barcelona winger received the Laureus World Young Sportsperson award at the Madrid ceremony and said he hopes to follow Lionel Messi’s footsteps.
- He called Messi the best player in history and said the Argentine’s impact reaches beyond football.
- At 18, Yamal has been central to Barcelona’s 2024–25 domestic treble and stood out in Spain’s Euro 2024 win.
- Goal.com reported he became the first winner of the Young Sportsperson category, a distinction he said made him proud.
- Coverage noted his remarks add intrigue to a possible Spain–Argentina meeting at the 2026 World Cup, with Messi the only footballer to have won the main Laureus Sportsman award.