Alex Baena backs Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world, draws Messi comparison

In a statement that caught attention ahead of the Madrid derby, Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena did not hesitate to place his national team teammate Lamine Yamal at the top of the world, while invoking Messi as an ambitious point of comparison. This declaration comes from a teammate himself, as the new season enters a crucial phase and the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches. Baena, 25, shared with DAZN his list of the three best players in his eyes: "For me, Lamine is the best player in the world. Then Rodri, who showed his class at the World Cup and deserves recognition. And finally Messi." This statement places Yamal, just 19 years old, even above the Argentine star, even though Messi is 39 and still performing at the highest level in MLS with Inter Miami. Baena's admiration is not accidental. He closely observed Yamal during Spain's training camps throughout the past summer, when the national team won the World Cup. "I watch matches mainly to enjoy Lamine," Baena admitted. "If he's not playing, it's really hard for me to sit and watch. That only ever happened to me when watching Messi." The figure of 42 direct goal contributions in the past season includes 24 goals and 18 assists for both Barcelona and the Spain national team. This is an elite-level contribution, especially for a player who just turned 19. Alongside the World Cup title and two domestic trophies, Yamal stands before a historic opportunity at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026. However, tactical analysis shows the picture is not entirely bright as the numbers suggest. Looking closer at his playing style, Yamal operates as an inverted left-footed right winger, frequently moving from the touchline into central areas to use his stronger left foot. This is a common inverted winger model in modern football, not the false nine or central creator model like Messi in his prime. This comparison is more entertaining and commercial than professional analysis. The more concerning issue lies in the enormous workload the 19-year-old must carry. A long season with Barcelona, followed by a full World Cup tournament as champion, plus continuous national team camps. Yamal's cumulative minutes over the past 12 months rank among the highest among players his age across Europe. This is a classic pattern leading to soft tissue injuries later on, especially for young players not yet fully developed physically. On the data front, 42 goal contributions is a strong signal but insufficient to declare Yamal the best player on the planet. For accurate assessment, metrics like xG (expected goals), xA (expected assists), and PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) need examination. These figures were not disclosed in Baena's interview. Teenage breakout seasons often contain finishing overperformance that is difficult to replicate in subsequent seasons. A notable paradox in Baena's statement is placing Rodri second while acknowledging the Manchester City midfielder was "the best player at the World Cup." If Rodri was truly the best at the biggest tournament, what logic allows placing someone else above him? This is a mixing of evaluation criteria, a sign that this is an emotional statement from a teammate rather than objective comparative analysis. The context of the statement also deserves careful examination. Baena made this observation right before the Madrid derby, when Atletico Madrid prepares to face Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. A midfielder from the capital city club publicly praising Barcelona's star, a direct rival in the title race, is an action that may create slight pressure on his own dressing room. Atletico coaches typically prefer keeping focus on their own team before big matches. On the commercial and financial side, Yamal standing before a Ballon d'Or opportunity creates a ripple effect. A 19-year-old World Cup winner, two domestic titles, and 42 goal contributions sits at the peak of the age-value curve. Winning the award converts a rising asset into a globally trademarked brand, directly impacting image rights value, shirt sales, and negotiating power in the next renewal contract. For Barcelona, this is both opportunity and challenge. The Catalan club operates under La Liga's salary cap regime, meaning the constraint lies not in cash but in registration space. When Yamal's market value surges after a major award, Barcelona will face a more complex budget allocation problem. Separating image rights from the playing contract may be a strategic choice to solve this equation. Analysis from a media perspective shows Baena's interview is not a new information event but a narrative amplification tool. The actual content only includes the ceremony date, season statistics, and a teammate's quote. The real significance lies in the signal: the football industry is at the maximum expectation cycle phase with Lamine Yamal, right before the decisive moment. Comparisons to Messi have been attached to many young talents before, with a very low completion rate. The primary function of such comparisons is to increase traffic and brand value, not to predict accurately. Even if Yamal doesn't win the Ballon d'Or, the story about the young Spanish talent will continue, but from a completely different angle. The risk from excessive expectations is asymmetric. If Yamal wins, the story confirms itself with little room for additional growth. If he loses, the "Messi successor" label quickly reverses into "overhyped player." This mechanism is a media risk, not a sporting one, but the impact on the player's environment is real. Barcelona currently depends tactical structure on a 19-year-old individual, both at club level and for the Spain national team. Such single-point dependency is a double-edged sword. An injury or unexpected form dip will create a large gap in the playing style of both teams. Developing alternative creative options and backup tactics becomes more urgent than ever. It should be emphasized that information about Spain winning the World Cup and the ceremony taking place in London needs independent verification. Historically, Ballon d'Or ceremonies have typically been held in Paris by France Football, with co-organization by UEFA since 2026. However, if these two details are accurate, the entire argument about Yamal's Ballon d'Or chances gains solid foundation. The upcoming Madrid derby will be an important short-term test. A below-expectation performance under high pressure right before the ceremony can create significant public opinion shifts. Conversely, if Yamal shines in the high-stakes match, the expectation momentum will reach its peak. The media cycle is currently at its extreme phase, with very little room for the story to become more positive and very high potential for reversal. The real question is not whether Yamal deserves the Ballon d'Or, but whether a single season at age 19 is enough to judge a player's permanent stature. Football needs time to answer big questions, and the most prestigious individual award on the planet is no exception.