World Cup 2026: Yamal Disagrees With FIFA, Names Best Player At Tournament

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has disagreed with FIFA over its choice of the best player at the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA named Barcelona midfielder Rodri as the tournament’s best player after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift the World Cup trophy.

However, Yamal gave a different view when asked by Movistar, naming Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the best player of the tournament.

Messi delivered an impressive campaign, scoring eight goals and providing four assists during the competition.

“For me, Leo Messi was the best player at the World Cup. Nobody expected a player at Leo’s age, even Leo himself, to be capable of doing those things at such a high level,” Yamal said.

He added, “Even though everyone knows Messi is the greatest of all time, nobody expected him to have such a legendary World Cup.”

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Yamal’s comments highlight the difference between FIFA’s official award to Rodri and his personal choice of Messi, whose eight goals and four assists made a major impact during Argentina’s World Cup campaign.