Barcelona and Spain youngster Lamine Yamal has spoken highly of Lionel Messi, describing the Argentine superstar as the best player at the 2022 FIFA World Cup because of both his extraordinary performance and what he represents in football.

Speaking to Movistar, Yamal reflected on Messi’s remarkable campaign in Qatar and emphasized that, although Messi was already widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, few people expected him to produce such an outstanding World Cup at that stage of his career.

“Lionel Messi was the best player at the World Cup because of everything he represents and everything he did,” Yamal said.

The teenager added that Messi’s performance was particularly remarkable because of the expectations surrounding him.

“Even though everyone knows Messi is the best player in history, nobody expected him to have such an incredible World Cup.”

Messi Delivered on Football’s Biggest Stage

Messi entered the 2022 World Cup with enormous pressure on his shoulders. It was his fifth World Cup appearance, and Argentina’s campaign carried additional significance because the tournament represented another opportunity for him to win the one major international trophy that had eluded him.

Argentina did not have the easiest possible start. They suffered a shock 2–1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match, immediately putting pressure on Messi and his teammates.

However, Argentina responded strongly.

Messi scored in the team’s subsequent group-stage victories over Mexico and Poland, helping his country reach the knockout stages. From there, his influence continued to grow.

Argentina defeated Australia in the round of 16 before overcoming the Netherlands in a dramatic quarter-final decided by penalties. Messi then scored and assisted against Croatia in the semi-final as Argentina secured their place in the final.

The final against France became one of the most memorable matches in World Cup history.

A Historic World Cup Final

Messi scored twice against France in the final, while the match ultimately went to a penalty shootout after the two teams finished level following extra time.

Argentina eventually prevailed, winning the shootout and lifting the World Cup trophy.

Messi finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists, making a decisive contribution throughout Argentina’s campaign. He also became the first player to win the World Cup’s Golden Ball award twice, having previously received the honour in 2014.

For Messi, the victory completed a remarkable international journey.

He had previously experienced disappointment with Argentina, including defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals. His triumph in Qatar therefore represented the culmination of years of international competition.

Yamal’s Admiration for Messi

Yamal’s comments are particularly interesting because of his own position in modern football.

The young Spanish winger has frequently been compared with elite players because of his technical ability, creativity and maturity despite his age. Messi, meanwhile, represents a benchmark that generations of young footballers have grown up watching.

Yamal’s comments therefore underline the enormous impact Messi continues to have on younger players.

Rather than simply pointing to Messi’s goals or assists, Yamal referred to “everything he represents and everything he did.” That suggests admiration for the broader significance of Messi’s career, as well as his individual performance in Qatar.

Messi’s 2022 World Cup campaign combined individual production with leadership and responsibility. He was heavily involved in Argentina’s attacking play, frequently created opportunities for teammates and repeatedly delivered in decisive moments.

From World Cup Disappointment to World Cup Champion

Messi’s relationship with the World Cup had changed dramatically by the end of the Qatar tournament.

In 2014, he came close to winning the competition but Argentina lost 1–0 to Germany in the final. Eight years later, he finally lifted the trophy after one of the most dramatic finals ever played.

The achievement also strengthened the historical significance of his international career. Messi had already won numerous domestic and continental honours at club level, but the World Cup had remained the most prominent missing trophy from his collection.

His performances in Qatar ensured that he did not simply win the competition; he played a central role in Argentina’s success.

A Performance That Surprised Even Messi Admirers

That is what makes Yamal’s statement particularly notable.

Messi was already approaching the latter stages of his career when he arrived in Qatar. While his ability was never in serious doubt, there were questions about whether he could maintain his highest level across an entire World Cup tournament.

Instead, Messi produced one of the defining individual campaigns of the competition.

He scored in every knockout round, contributed two goals in the final and ultimately collected the Golden Ball.

Yamal’s assessment captures the significance of that achievement. Messi did not merely participate in his final World Cup campaign; he became one of its central figures and helped Argentina secure their first World Cup title since 1986.

For fans who watched Messi’s career unfold, the 2022 tournament provided a memorable final chapter to his World Cup story. For younger players such as Yamal, it also offered an example of how one of football’s greatest stars could continue to perform at an extraordinary level when the pressure was at its highest.

Messi’s World Cup triumph in Qatar will therefore remain one of the defining moments of his career, while Yamal’s praise reflects the lasting influence the Argentine continues to have on the next generation of footballers.