Kylian Mbappé has praised Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as one of football’s most exciting young players, saying the Spain international “has everything.” The Real Madrid forward made the remark in a wide-ranging interview as he discussed the emerging generation of talent across Europe.
Asked which young players excite him most, Mbappé singled out Yamal before naming Chelsea winger Estêvão, Real Madrid teammate Arda Güler, fellow Madrid forward Endrick, and France internationals Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué.
“Among the youngsters, Lamine Yamal. He has everything,” Mbappé said. “I also like Estêvão; he has a special creativity. Arda Güler can go very far. Endrick has potential; he is a goalscorer. Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué are going to have great careers, for sure.”
Yamal’s standing has continued to rise after a remarkable 2025–26 campaign for Barcelona and Spain. The 18-year-old scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions as Barcelona won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, before playing a major role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The Barcelona winger is among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, although Harry Kane remains the clear favourite following Bayern Munich’s domestic double and his exceptional goalscoring season. Current odds place Yamal second, with Mbappé and Rodri also among the principal challengers.
Market-based projections have Kane at roughly 60–65% to win the award, while Yamal is generally placed between 16% and 20%. Mbappé’s position varies by market, but he is usually listed behind Kane, Yamal and, in some forecasts, Rodri. Those figures are implied probabilities rather than predictions of the final voting outcome.
Mbappé, 27, is also on the 30-player Ballon d’Or shortlist and has spoken openly about wanting to win the award for the first time. His case has been strengthened by a strong start to the season with Real Madrid, although he has yet to win a major trophy since joining the club in 2024.
For Yamal, Mbappé’s remarks provide notable recognition from Barcelona’s fiercest sporting rival. The two attackers are likely to remain central figures in Spanish football’s next era, with Yamal representing Barcelona’s new generation and Mbappé leading Real Madrid’s attack.
