According to a report by Barca Universal on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Barcelona winger Raphinha has expressed strong admiration for his teammate Lamine Yamal, describing the teenage forward as the best footballer in the world ahead of the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Speaking during an interview with CazeTV, the Brazilian international highlighted Yamal’s outstanding abilities and growing influence at Barcelona. Raphinha believes the youngster’s performances have placed him above other footballers and made him deserving of recognition as the world’s leading player.

“Lamine is proving that he is the best player in the world right now, and I don’t think there is any room for debate about that,” Raphinha said.

The Barcelona attacker also suggested that the difference between Yamal and the player considered the second-best in the world could be considerable. His remarks demonstrate the confidence he has in the teenager’s exceptional talent and potential to dominate football for years to come.

Yamal has continued to establish himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s attacking setup under manager Hansi Flick. His creativity, impressive dribbling, confidence in possession and ability to influence important matches have made him one of the club’s most exciting players.

At such a young age, Yamal has already attracted significant attention for his performances, with expectations continuing to rise as he develops. Raphinha’s public endorsement further highlights the respect the teenager enjoys among his teammates and the belief that he could achieve football’s highest individual honours.

The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony could provide another important opportunity to recognise Yamal’s achievements. However, the final result will depend on the voting process and the performances of other leading contenders during the relevant assessment period.

Meanwhile, Raphinha also discussed his own difficulties when representing Brazil at international level. The winger admitted that he has struggled to reproduce the same level of performance he consistently delivers for Barcelona.

He explained that injuries have affected his participation during recent international assignments, making it difficult to establish the desired consistency with the national team.

Despite these challenges, Raphinha remains an important attacking option for Barcelona. His comments about Yamal underline the strong appreciation within the squad for the teenager’s abilities, while his own reflections reveal his determination to improve his performances for Brazil.