Aguero crowns Lamine Yamal as world’s best

Sergio Aguero has declared Lamine Yamal the finest player in world football, placing the Barcelona teenager above many established stars as his remarkable season continues to gather momentum.

The endorsement from the Manchester City legend comes at a time when Yamal’s influence at FC Barcelona is becoming increasingly decisive, particularly in their push towards another La Liga crown.

Despite Barcelona’s recent elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid, the Catalan side remain firmly in control domestically, with Yamal at the centre of their attacking fluency.

The 18-year-old has delivered 15 goals and 11 assists in 27 league appearances, underlining a level of consistency rarely seen at such a young age. Across all competitions, his return of 23 goals and 18 assists in 44 matches has elevated him into conversations typically reserved for the game’s elite.

Inevitably, Yamal’s style and productivity have drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi, a player whose legacy at Barcelona remains unmatched. Aguero, a former teammate and close associate of Messi, acknowledged those parallels while emphasising the uniqueness of Yamal’s talent.

“There are many people who make different comparisons, but as a player, and based on my experience in football, he is one who is as good as the very best.

“Having good and bad games is normal – I want everyone to go and watch him. The movements, the passes, the dribbling, the agility he has and how he gets out of situations that look impossible… the guy who did that before was Leo Messi.”

Aguero went further, positioning Yamal alongside Kylian Mbappe while suggesting the Barcelona forward offers qualities that set him apart.

“Today there is no comparison for me. Lamine is above many players. Maybe you can say Mbappé today, but we know the kind of player he is – very aggressive in 1v1, he has goals, he’s very good. But Lamine has other things that not many have. I like those short passes and those decisions… they are different. It’s very difficult to stop Lamine.”

As Barcelona prepare to face Celta Vigo on April 22, Yamal is expected to play a pivotal role once again.