Neymar calls Lamine Yamal "the best in the world"

Lamine Yamal is living the finest moment of his young career. At 19, the FC Barcelona forward has racked up eight goals and nine assists in his first ten official matches of the season, numbers that have made him the center of attention across world football. The latest to bow to his talent is Neymar, one of his biggest childhood idols, who has called him "the best in the world".

• Neymar shared an Instagram story comparing his stats with Lamine Yamal's and added the message "Melhor do mundo".
• The Brazilian averaged an 8.81 rating in the 2017/18 season with PSG; Lamine currently holds an 8.61 rating.
• Lamine has recorded 17 goal contributions in 10 official matches for Barcelona this season.
• His rabona dribble in Istanbul reminded fans of Neymar's unmistakable style.
• The two players vacationed together in Brazil in the summer of 2025, highlighting their close bond.

Neymar's message sets social media ablaze: "Melhor do mundo"

The Brazilian star used his Instagram stories to post a stat comparison between the two players, adding a clear caption: "Melhor do mundo", Portuguese for "the best in the world". The graphic, shared by Score 90 and Sofascore, puts Neymar's 2017/18 campaign head-to-head with Lamine Yamal's start to the current season.

The gesture underlines the excellent relationship between the two footballers, who share talent, personality and an approach to the game built on creativity and beating defenders. It is far from an isolated compliment: Neymar was one of the Barcelona academy product's biggest childhood heroes, and Lamine has never hidden his admiration for the former Barça player.

Sofascore comparison: Neymar 2017/18 vs Lamine Yamal 2026/27

The data displayed in the comparison places both players at the top of Sofascore's historical rankings. During his spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar achieved an average rating of 8.81 in the 2017/18 season, registering 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 matches. That performance puts him in first place on the chart.

Lamine Yamal, for his part, currently holds an average rating of 8.61 across his first ten appearances this season, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists. That is 17 direct goal involvements in just ten games, a pace that places him second overall. His campaign has only just begun, and those numbers still have plenty of room to grow as competitions progress.

The Istanbul moment: a rabona reminiscent of Neymar

Beyond the numbers, the comparison reflects the immense potential of Barcelona's number 10. The rabona dribble Lamine produced in Istanbul reminded many fans of Neymar's unmistakable style, a player who turned such pieces of skill into his signature move. It is no coincidence: the Brazilian has long been one of the role models the young forward has looked up to.

Neymar's Barcelona legacy and Lamine Yamal's rise

Neymar left a deep mark on the Catalan club. During his time as a Barça player, he won 10 trophies, including one Champions League, two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey crowns, while making 186 official appearances, scoring 105 goals and providing 76 assists. Today, Lamine Yamal has established himself as one of Barcelona's main figures at an age when most footballers are only beginning to make their mark at the top level.

More than football: holidays together in Brazil

The sporting admiration between the two has grown into an increasingly close personal relationship. In the summer of 2025, Neymar welcomed Lamine Yamal and his group of friends to his home in Brazil, where they spent several days together. Since then, displays of mutual affection have followed one after another, painting the picture of a special bond between two generations connected by Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions about Neymar and Lamine Yamal