Lamine Yamal: The New Face of World Soccer Valued at $400 Million

Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal has been recognized as the top player globally, according to the 2026 CIES Football Observatory rankings, leaving even the esteemed Ousmane Dembele, who won the recent Ballon d’Or, out of the top 100.

Yamal’s ascent has been impressive over the past year, as he clinched the La Liga title with his team and is now valued at an impressive €343 million (£297 million), surpassing stars like Erling Haaland (£221 million) and Kylian Mbappe (£174 million).

Dembele Snubbed

Despite having a stellar 2025, Dembele’s absence from this elite ranking raises eyebrows. He won multiple prestigious awards, including FIFA’s ‘The Best,’ but has been hindered by injuries, causing speculation regarding his future at PSG, with Arsenal reportedly interested in him.

Future of Yamal and Comparisons

Yamal has been likened to legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, in a recent statement, he emphasized his desire to carve his own legacy, stating: “I respect him for what he has been and what he is for football. To me, he’s the best in history… My football is about fun.”

As he continues to develop, excitement surrounds Yamal’s potential to lead Barcelona to further glory, both domestically and on the European stage.