After Lamine Yamal produced one of the most outrageous assists of the season, his Barcelona teammate Fermín López said the 19-year-old is the "best in the world."
Yamal was dominant in a 4-1 Champions League win at Galatasaray on Tuesday, Oct. 13, tallying two assists in the second half as the La Liga champions pulled away.
But it was his second assist, setting up Anthony Gordon in the 53rd minute, that made the biggest headlines.
Yamal got past Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali with an audacious bit of skill, which saw him feign a "rabona" cross with one leg behind the other and instead, continue dribbling around the stunned Elmali.
Lamine Yamal 😳#UCLpic.twitter.com/OrA1RVaxDK
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 14, 2026
From there, Yamal somehow kept the ball in and then found Gordon for a close-range finish.
“I’ve noticed lately that defenders have been diving to the ground whenever I make a run toward the backline,” Yamal said in a post-match interview with CBS Sports. “I saw an opportunity to pull off the move, which looks good but is also effective. I’m happy with it. I’m always trying to refine my dribbles to create more space. Defenders are always trying to close you down, so any kind of dribble that creates space is a lifesaver.”
Lamine Yamal that is SENSATIONAL 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 13, 2026
Barcelona's superstar provides two incredible assists for Fermín López and Anthony Gordon as Barcelona complete the comeback 💫
Watch the #UCL on @ParamountPlus 📺 pic.twitter.com/QiOU23XtTF
Speaking to Movistar after the game, López said that the teenager, who won the World Cup with Spain over the summer, is the best in the world.
“He’s a friend and a great teammate,” López said. “When he has the ball, I always look for a run. He’s the best in the world. We get along well off the field, and that shows on the pitch, too.”
“It’s incredible to have players like that,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said of Yamal after the game. “He’s turned the game around for us.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barcelona's Lamine Yamal called 'best in the world' after outrageous assist