According to a report by Barca Universal on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Barcelona winger Raphinha has praised his teammate Lamine Yamal, declaring the teenage star the best footballer in the world ahead of the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.

During an interview with CazeTV, the Brazilian international expressed his admiration for Yamal’s outstanding abilities, arguing that the youngster’s performances have established him as the leading player in world football.

“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 stated.

The Barcelona attacker went further by suggesting that Yamal’s quality places him comfortably above anyone else who might be considered the second-best player in the world.

Under manager Hansi Flick, Yamal has continued to strengthen his reputation as one of Barcelona’s most important attacking players. His creativity, confidence on the ball and ability to influence the outcome of matches have attracted considerable attention from football fans and observers.

Raphinha’s remarks also highlight the level of admiration and respect Yamal enjoys among his teammates at Barcelona as the young winger approaches another potentially important milestone in his career.

The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony will offer an opportunity to recognise Yamal’s achievements, although the final result will be determined by the award’s voting process.

Meanwhile, Raphinha also discussed his difficulties in reproducing his impressive Barcelona performances while representing the Brazilian national team.

The winger openly acknowledged that his displays for Brazil have not consistently matched the standards he has established at club level. He also explained that injuries have disrupted his participation during recent international assignments, making it more difficult for him to maintain consistency with the national side.