Former Barcelona forward Javier Saviola has made a bold prediction about Lamine Yamal, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As the tournament approaches, attention is already shifting toward the next generation of stars expected to take center stage.
Yamal has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young talents in world football. And Saviola believes he could follow a familiar path. One that mirrors Messi’s early rise on the international stage.
Javier Saviola compares Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi’s journey
Speaking in comments reported by CGTN, Saviola highlighted the responsibility young stars like Yamal will carry.
“This will be a World Cup where there will be young rising stars…like Lamine Yamal. They will carry the responsibility, just as Messi did for Argentina at his time, of beginning their careers at a very young age and taking on the responsibility of leading their country to the top,” Saviola said.
Saviola’s comparison places Yamal in elite company. Messi’s early international journey set a benchmark for young players stepping into major roles.
Now, Yamal is being viewed through a similar lens. Expectations are already building ahead of the tournament and with his rapid development, the spotlight will only grow.
Javier Saviola backs Argentina to defend World Cup title
Saviola also shared his outlook on the broader tournament, including Argentina’s chances of retaining their crown.
“I think there are candidates like France, Spain, Morocco, and the Netherlands, very strong, very tough teams.
“But us Argentinians are full of hope and belief that Argentina can win the World Cup again,” Saviola added.
While acknowledging strong competition, his confidence in Argentina remains clear. The defending champions will enter the tournament with high expectations once again.
And belief within the squad and among former players continues to be strong. That mindset could prove crucial as they aim to repeat their success.
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