Barcelona legend Messi names best player of football’s new generation

The teenager has rapidly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in world football despite being just 18 years old. 

Speaking at the Adidas World Cup launch event, the Argentine praised the quality emerging in modern football but singled out the Spaniard as the player with the brightest future.

"There is a new generation of players who are very good and have many years ahead of them,” Messi said.

"If I had to pick one of them, based on his age, his performances so far and his prospects for the future, it would be Lamine.

"No doubt about it: for me, he's the best." 

Yamal’s meteoric rise was further highlighted when he finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in the recent Ballon d’Or voting.