Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has described Spain winger Lamine Yamal as one of the best footballers in the world, placing him firmly among the top three players globally.
Pogba made the remarks in a recent interview with El Chiringuito while reacting to Spain’s 0–0 draw against Cape Verde in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
The French star also offered advice to the young Barcelona player, urging him to stay focused on his football and avoid distractions off the pitch.
According to Pogba, Yamal’s success will depend heavily on the people around him, especially his family and agent, whom he believes should handle external pressures while the player concentrates on his game.
He said, “I would advise Lamine to just focus on football and not worry about anything else. He needs to be surrounded by the right people. His family and agent are very important; let them take care of everything else while he focuses on playing.”
Pogba further praised the teenager’s talent, insisting that even if opinions differ about his ranking, Yamal is already performing at an elite level.
“Even if he’s not number one in the world, he is definitely in the top three—first, second, or third,” he added.
Lamine Yamal has continued to impress for both club and country. The young winger played a key role in helping Barcelona win the LaLiga title last season with consistent and mature performances beyond his age.
The 18-year-old also enjoyed a remarkable individual campaign, finishing second in last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings behind winner Ousmane Dembélé, further establishing himself as one of football’s brightest young stars.