Barcelona captain Raphinha has declared teammate Lamine Yamal the world’s outstanding footballer, arguing that the gap between the Spanish international and every other contender is substantial.

In comments to CazeTV, the Brazilian said Yamal’s current form leaves little scope for disagreement. “Lamine is showing that he is the best player in the world right now, and I don’t believe there is much to discuss,” Raphinha said. “For me, he is the best in the world, possibly by a very large distance from whoever comes next.”

Yamal has made a remarkable impact since entering Barcelona’s senior side in 2023 during Xavi Hernández’s tenure as manager. The 19-year-old is now regarded as one of the leading candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded on Monday in London.