Gavi: Yamal World Cup's Best, Messi Aside

Spain's Gavi has delivered the ultimate compliment to teammate Lamine Yamal, calling the 18-year-old sensation the finest player at the World Cup except for Lionel Messi. The Barcelona midfielder praised Yamal's remarkable composure and quality, noting that even at 70% fitness, Yamal is already the world's best player.

Yamal is carefully recovering from a hamstring injury that disrupted his World Cup preparations, gradually increasing his playing time from 19 minutes against Cape Verde to 76 minutes against Uruguay. Gavi expressed amazement at how Yamal handles global fame without becoming overwhelmed, highlighting this as a special quality as Spain prepares for their last-32 clash with Austria. ipltable.lol