Spain is all set to lock horns with Saudi Arabia in the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-shreyas-iyer-backs-neymar-and-brazil-for-world-cup-glory-23635967" rel="nofollow">FIFA World Cup 2026</a> match on Sunday at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
Ahead of the match, Spain's rising star Lamine Yamal heaped praise on <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-algeria-lodge-complaint-alleging-lionel-messi-should-have-been-sent-off-23636126" rel="nofollow">Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi</a> by saying he is the best.
"Impossible. For me, Messi's the best and he keeps proving it. He has an advantage over everyone and he's 40 years old," he said, according to Reuters.
The 18-year-old footballer also said that he sees himself as much better than people see him. The Barcelona-born footballer also admitted that he has many things to improve in his game.
"I see myself as much better than people see me. I know the road ahead is very long and that I have many things to improve. I know people see me as if this is my level and that's it. But I can use all that confidence I have for many things. I insist: I have a long way to go, a lot to improve. And a lot, a lot, a lot of football," said Yamal.
Earlier, he made his appearance for just 25 minutes in Spain's campaign-opening match against Cabo Verde, which ended in a 0-0 draw. It was also his first appearance in nearly two months.
Ahead of the upcoming match against Saudi Arabia, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-spain-goalkeeper-david-raya-urges-teammates-to-be-more-clinical-against-saudi-arabia-23636125" rel="nofollow">Spain's goalkeeper David Raya</a> has urged his teammates to move on from their previous game against Cabo Verde and be more clinical against Saudi Arabia.
"We have to move on. We know our level has to improve, but our attitude hasn&rsquo;t suffered. We need to have a bit more luck in terms of goals, for the ball to go in [the net]. We need to be more clinical in front of goal against Saudi Arabia, that&rsquo;s all," he told ESPN.
After concluding with the match against Saudi Arabia, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-spain-boss-luis-de-la-fuente-speaks-about-draw-against-cabo-verde-23635466" rel="nofollow">Spain</a> will then take on Uruguay on June 27 at the Estadio Guadalajara in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
(With Inputs from Agencies)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ahead of the match against Saudi Arabia, Spain`s rising star Lamine Yamal heaped praise on Argentina`s Lionel Messi by saying he is best

FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain's Lamine Yamal heaps praise on Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi

FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal off mark at World Cup as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia

Ahead of the match against Saudi Arabia, Spain's rising star Lamine Yamal heaped praise on Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi by saying he is the best

FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'For me, Messi's the best and he keeps proving it...': Lamine Yamal

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Home / Sports / Football / Article / FIFA World Cup 2026 | 'For me, Messi's the best and he keeps proving it...': Lamine Yamal