Spain and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has revealed that Brazilian forward Neymar is his footballing idol, overlooking global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 18-year-old made the admission during a fan Q&A session on his YouTube channel, where he was asked which player he most enjoys watching outside of his teammates.
Yamal's Idol: Neymar Over Messi and Ronaldo
“Neymar. I always enjoy watching Neymar play. He's my idol,” Yamal said in the video. The teenager also name-checked Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki as players he admires. This is not the first time Yamal has spoken about his admiration for the Brazilian; in April, he told reporters: “Neymar is a player who marked my entire childhood. He is my idol. I will always be grateful for everything he has given to football. He always inspires us. He's one of those players you pay a ticket just to watch him play.”
Yamal, who won the European Championship with Spain in 2024 and finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings last year, has shown respect for both Messi and Ronaldo but does not model his game after them. In a December 2025 interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, he said: “I respect him [Messi], in the end for what he's been, for what he is to football, and if we ever meet on a pitch, there will be that mutual respect because we are players and because, for me, he's the best in history. He also knows I am a player and I respect him, so it's mutual respect. We both know I don't want to be Messi and Messi knows I don't want to be him. I want to follow my path and that's it. I don't have the intention of playing like him or wearing the No.10 that Messi wore or anything like that.”
Regarding Ronaldo, Yamal said ahead of the 2025 Nations League final against Portugal: “Cristiano is a legend and we all have a lot of respect for him, but I will do my job, which is to win the match.”
World Cup 2026: Spain's Campaign and Neymar's Inclusion
Yamal is currently focused on Spain's World Cup campaign in 2026. He made his World Cup debut off the bench in Spain's shock 1-1 draw with Cape Verde on Monday. Spain faces Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Group H, and Yamal is working his way back to full fitness after a recent injury. The young winger expressed hope that Neymar would be named in Brazil's World Cup squad, and his wish was granted despite Neymar dealing with an injury. The 34-year-old Santos captain is now part of Brazil's squad, setting up a potential meeting between Yamal and his idol in the latter stages of the tournament.
Yamal played a crucial role in Barcelona winning La Liga last season, scoring 16 goals and providing 12 assists in 28 games. His performances have made him one of the most exciting young talents in world football, and his idolisation of Neymar highlights the Brazilian's lasting influence on the next generation.
