Yamal Sends Heartfelt Message To Messi After Ballon d’Or Ceremony In London

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has praised Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, describing him as the best player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while expressing gratitude for the personal support he received from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after what he called a “difficult night”.

The 19-year-old Spain international shared the messages in separate posts on Facebook on Tuesday, celebrating Messi’s footballing achievements and thanking him for reaching out to check on his well-being.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Yamal openly expressed his admiration for the Argentine superstar, insisting that no player performed better than Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

“No player was better than Messi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!” the Barcelona youngster wrote.

In a separate message, Yamal thanked Messi for calling him and offering words of encouragement during a challenging moment.

“Thank you for calling me, checking on me, and giving me your support. Your words meant a lot to me, especially after a difficult night,” he stated.

The Spanish forward added, “I truly appreciate it, Leo. Much love and respect!”

Yamal’s remarks came after he finished third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings at Monday’s ceremony in London. England captain Harry Kane won the prestigious award, while France international Kylian Mbappé finished second.

However, Yamal did not explicitly state that his reference to a “difficult night” was connected to his Ballon d’Or ranking. He also did not confirm whether the award ceremony prompted Messi to contact him.

Messi remains one of football’s most decorated figures, having won the Ballon d’Or eight times and captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Yamal has rapidly established himself as one of Barcelona’s most influential young players and a key figure for Spain. His exceptional performances at a young age have drawn comparisons with Messi, although the teenager continues to develop his own identity in world football.

Yamal’s public appreciation of Messi highlights the respect he holds for the Argentine icon and the significance of receiving encouragement from a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.