Former Barcelona legend Lionel Messi believes his legacy at the Camp Nou is in good hands. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner named teenage superstar Lamine Yamal as his heir apparent for the Blaugrana.
"There is a new generation of footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them, but if I have to choose one because of age, for what he has done so far and for the future he may have, it is Lamine," Messi said at an adidas event this week. "There's no doubt, for me, he's the best."
Yamal, Barça's current leading goalscorer and assist provider, recently won the Laureus Young Sportsperson of the Year award, recognizing him as the best young athlete under age 21 globally. He also finished runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting, losing to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé.
A Relationship Decades in the Making
Although Messi and Yamal have never met on the pitch, their relationship began nearly 20 years ago—in what many fans call a symbolic "soccer baptism."
In 2007, Messi, then 20 years old, was tapped by Barcelona to participate in a charity photoshoot at the Camp Nou for UNICEF and the Barça Foundation childhood protection programs. The six-month-old Catalan baby photographed with Messi was none other than Yamal.
"For Lamine to grow up to be a footballer, and to have this photo, I'm just really happy it happened. It's especially nice in today's football, when so much is to do with money and power," Messi recalled.
Yamal's Road to Recovery
Although Yamal is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, out for the remainder of the La Liga season, he is anticipated to return for the 2026 World Cup and make his debut for Spain on the sport's grandest stage.
It could set up a potential round-of-32 matchup between Spain and Argentina—seeing Yamal and Messi on the same pitch for the first time ever.
Yamal's Admiration for Messi
"For me, Messi is the best player in history," Yamal said at the Laureus World Sports Awards. "I don't know if he's the best player in all sports, but if not, he's close. He's an idol. Everyone respects him for everything he's done. He's been a part of the childhood of all the kids who played at school, in the park."
"I hope I can follow in his footsteps and have another one of those trophies in my house."