Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal (19) revealed ambition to win the World Cup alongside respect for 'the god of football' and the club legend Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami).
Yamal won the Laureus World Sports Award for young sportsman of the year at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards held in Madrid, Spain, on the 21st (Korea time). Receiving the trophy from Brazilian legend Cafu, Yamal, at the age of 18, stood on the podium looking remarkably composed.
The Laureus World Sports Awards is the world's most prestigious sports awards ceremony that each year selects the athletes and teams around the world with the most outstanding performances. Awarded since 2000, the prize is the highest honor across all sports, recognizing individuals and teams rather than a specific discipline.
According to Spain's Mundo Deportivo, Yamal gave a mature answer about the high expectations placed on him, saying, "The responsibility of being a role model for many children is heavy, and realizing that you must not make mistakes is not easy, but I try to accept it positively."
He added, "Whenever I send a message, I try to convey it meaningfully to help more people," and laughed, saying, "I will sometimes make mistakes, but I am only 18."
Having inherited Barcelona's No. 10 and unavoidably compared with Messi, Yamal said, "If a player is recognized as a legend across all sports beyond a specific discipline, it is because he is the best," and praised, "Messi is the greatest footballer and the greatest athlete in history."
Yamal said, "Everyone pays tribute to the achievements he has made and the exemplary behavior he has shown," and added, "I also hope to follow in his footsteps," expressing respect and trust toward Messi.
On communicating with fans, Yamal said, "We are a different generation. Football is no longer what it used to be," adding, "People enjoy what you do off the pitch as well, and I like this change. I also like showing that."
Spain national team player Yamal's focus is now on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. He could not hide his excitement, saying, "Since I was young I dreamed of standing on the World Cup stage and playing for the national team while looking toward my mother in the stands."
He also declared his bold ambition, saying, "The two months of the World Cup will pass in the blink of an eye, but of course our goal is to be champions."
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