Lamine Yamal likened to Barcelona legend Rivaldo as Brazilian icon makes 'best in the world' declaration

At just 17, Yamal has taken the world of football by storm with his consistent performances for club and country. After an impressive 2023-24 campaign in Catalonia, the young winger played an important role for Spain as they won the European Championship this summer.

For his quality and maturity on the pitch at a tender age, Yamal has received praise from all quarters, and Barcelona legend Rivaldo has joined the bandwagon as he claimed the teenager sometimes reminded him of his youth. The former Selecao star spent five years at Barca between 1997 to 2002 and he won multiple trophies, including two La Liga titles and a UEFA Super Cup.

In an interview with Diario SPORT, the 52-year-old said, "The one that everyone is loving is Lamine. He is an impressive player, but you have Gavi, many good ones. At times, yes [he reminds me of myself], because I went onto the pitch to enjoy football, that joy. He has that joy, he plays to enjoy, he enjoys it and the fans do too. He is 17 years old and plays as if he were 26 or 27."

He added, "He will surely be great, he already is, he is doing a great job: he is a Euro champion, he did well in Barcelona. But one day he will be the best in the world."

Barcelona remain confident that the youngster will commit his future to the club as they have a verbal agreement in place with him and his representatives that will see a new contract penned next summer. That deal will reportedly run until 2030.