Argentina has long been a breeding ground for soccer superstars, consistently producing generational talent each decade. The latest in that tradition is 20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, a rising star at Manchester United. This week, Garnacho drew headlines by declaring who he believes is the best player in the world—and it’s neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo.
The surprise stems from Garnacho’s rare experience. He’s played alongside both legends: Messi with Argentina and Ronaldo during his early days at Manchester United. Garnacho has publicly expressed his admiration for Ronaldo on several occasions, even mimicking the Portuguese icon’s trademark goal celebrations.
That’s why his recent comment raised eyebrows. Following Lamine Yamal’s sensational performance for FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, United star Garnacho replied to a social media post about the 17-year-old winger with a simple but powerful phrase: “Best player in the world,” followed by a mind-blown emoji—an unmistakable sign of awe.
Yamal’s performance leaves Europe speechless
Garnacho’s praise wasn’t without justification. In the first leg of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League semifinal clash against Inter Milan, Yamal delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances in recent memory. The match ended in a dramatic 3–3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, but Yamal’s impact was undeniable.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona runs off the ball as a advertising board displays the word “priceless” during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano
Barcelona fell behind just 45 seconds into the match—one of the fastest goals ever scored in the knockout stages—courtesy of Marcus Thuram. Inter doubled their lead in the 21st minute through Denzel Dumfries, putting the Catalans on the ropes early. But as football fans know, a 2–0 scoreline is often described as the most deceptive in the game.
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Yamal took over
The teenage sensation ignited Barcelona’s comeback with a moment of brilliance, dribbling through tight coverage from the right wing into the box before unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike that bent past Inter keeper Yann Sommer. It was a goal of sheer quality—technique, timing, and power combined.
Yamal continued to terrorize Inter’s defense, particularly tormenting Federico Dimarco. Ferran Torres later equalized to make it 2–2, but Dumfries struck again with a header in the 63rd minute to give Inter a 3–2 advantage.
Still, the drama wasn’t over. In the closing stages, Yamal once again made his presence felt—cutting inside the box, feinting past defenders, and threading a perfect pass to Pedri. The midfielder’s shot ricocheted off the post, hit Sommer’s back, and trickled into the net to tie the match at 3–3.
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Yamal finished the night with an overall match rating above 9.5—an extraordinary number by Champions League standards. At just 17 years old, he is already putting in performances that rival seasoned veterans on soccer’s biggest stage.
