Neymar has thrown his support behind Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, declaring the teenager the best footballer in the world as the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or heats up.
The Brazilian forward shared a social media post praising Yamal, writing: “Lamine Yamal is the best in the world.” The endorsement comes as the Barcelona winger continues to deliver eye-catching performances at just 19 years old.
A comparison of their numbers highlights why Neymar is so impressed. During the 2017-18 season with Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar recorded 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 appearances. Yamal, meanwhile, has registered eight goals and nine assists in his first 10 matches for Barcelona this season.
The two stars have also developed a close friendship since spending time together in Brazil in 2025. With the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London, Yamal is hoping to turn his outstanding form into football’s biggest individual honour.
