‘I hope to be able to follow in his footsteps’ – Lamine Yamal talks Lionel Messi after being crowned Laureus Young Sportsman of the Year
Another prize for the talented teenager.
Barcelona's Spanish forward Lamine Yamal poses with the Young Sportsman Award during the 27th Laureus World Sports Awards gala in Madrid on April 20, 2026. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Barcelona star Lamine Yamal added another trophy to his cabinet on Monday night as he was crowned Laureus Young Sportsman of the Year. The teenager won the Laureus “Breakthrough of the Year” award last year and has now been handed another gong at the glitzy ceremony.
🏆 Lamine Yamal crowned Laureus Young Sportsman of the Year. Congrats! 💙❤️👏 pic.
twitter. com/nP6Yva01bC — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 20, 2026 Speaking after picking up his latest trophy, Yamal said he hoped he can follow in Lionel Messi’s footsteps at Barcelona. “I am very happy to be the first to receive this award for the best young athlete.
It’s a source of pride,” he said. “I wanted to thank the Academy, all the legends who have voted for me, my two brothers, Jorge, who has always accompanied me and my team, my mother, my father, my grandmother, all my colleagues and the staff. “Receiving this prestigious award, the Laureus, is very special for me,” he added.