No room for debate - Raphinha names best world player

Barcelona captain Raphinha has named teammate Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world at the moment.

Speaking to CazeTV, Raphinha insisted that there is no room for debate, adding that the Spain international is by far ahead of the second best player in the world.

The Brazilian international said, “Lamine is proving that he is the best player in the world right now, and I don’t think there is any room for debate about that.

“For me, he is the best player in the world, perhaps by a very big margin over whoever is second.”

Yamal has been a revelation since breaking into Barcelona’s first team in 2023 under former manager Xavi Hernández.

The 19-year-old is among the top favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday in London.