Spain midfielder Gavi has given a glowing endorsement to his Barcelona and international teammate Lamine Yamal, describing the 18-year-old as the finest player in world football, with the exception of Lionel Messi.
As Spain pursues World Cup success, Gavi is confident that Yamal can handle the immense pressure of the knockout stages, despite still recovering from a hamstring injury that disrupted his World Cup preparations.
Regaining Match Fitness
Yamal has been gradually increasing his playing time for Spain, featuring for 19 minutes against Cape Verde, 45 minutes in a goal-scoring display against Saudi Arabia, and 76 minutes against Uruguay, as he carefully builds his match sharpness.
In an interview with La Vanguardia, Gavi highlighted Yamal's exceptional quality, even when not at peak physical condition. Gavi explained: "Perhaps he is not at 100 per cent yet. But Lamine at 70 per cent is already the best. When the matches go by, he will get better."
A Comparison to the Great Lionel Messi
At just 18 years old, Yamal has already achieved an impressive list of accolades, including the Golden Boy award, the Euro 2024 trophy with Spain, and three La Liga titles with Barcelona. He also finished as the runner-up for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, behind Ousmane Dembele.
Gavi offered a massive endorsement of Yamal's abilities, placing him directly behind an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. "Lionel Messi aside, I see him as the best. And I will always go to the death with him, in the good times and the bad," Gavi declared.
Handling the Pressure of Global Fame
The intense spotlight of a major tournament can be overwhelming for young players, but Yamal has consistently demonstrated remarkable maturity in handling global fame. Gavi expressed his admiration for how his colleague navigates the challenges of fame without getting stressed.
Gavi added: "Sometimes I tell him I don't understand how he does it, because he never gets overwhelmed by people. If I were him, I'd find it incredibly difficult, and I'd get stressed out, but Lamine handles it all very well and seems completely unfazed. It's a really great quality of his."
Spain's Path Forward
Spain will now finalize their tactical preparations for the upcoming last-32 clash with Austria. Manager Luis de la Fuente faces a major selection headache regarding his midfield combination and whether Yamal is fit enough to complete a full match, as the team seeks to deliver a cohesive performance and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
