When Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal received the ball and came face-to-face with Pape Gueye, the only thought on the Villarreal player’s mind was, “Don’t end up on a TikTok compilation, don’t end up on a TikTok compilation…”
To avoid becoming a meme, Gueye opted for a simple strategy.
“I stepped back — I just wanted an easy end to the season,” the Senegal international humorously remarked after the last match of the 2024-25 LaLiga season.
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Defenders at the FIFA World Cup won’t have it easy like Gueye did in that game. Failing to contain Spain‘s prodigious talent could lead to a loss, and possibly an early exit from the tournament.
The same applies to France‘s Kylian Mbappé, Yamal’s competitor at Real Madrid. They are among the players who could sway the World Cup in favor of their squads in North America, where Les Bleus and La Roja are seen as strong contenders.
Both athletes carry international experience. While Yamal is just 18, he already celebrated success with Spain, contributing to their triumph in the European Championship two years ago, which included defeating France in the semifinals.
Mbappé, now at the peak of his powers at 27, has excelled on World Cup stages. He netted four goals in France’s 2018 triumph and scored eight more, including a hat trick in the 2022 final, as France finished as runners-up to Argentina.
This past season, ESPN interviewed various players and coaches throughout LaLiga to understand the challenge of facing these two, the distinctions between them, and who among them may become the best player in the world as they both vie for their first Ballon d’Or.
1:16
Is Lamine Yamal the best player in the world?
Player Insights on Yamal
Yamal has infused a fresh dynamic into Spain’s gameplay. The possession-heavy approach that once made them world champions in 2010 had grown predictable and needed a facelift. With players like Yamal and Nico Williams on the opposing flank, Spain has evolved.
“Spain’s style has remained consistent, but there are nuances that allowed them to win the European Championship,” France coach Didier Deschamps remarked to Marca before the tournament. “In addition to ball retention, they now possess players with genuine pace, which can be damaging and tough to defend against.”
Watching Yamal on the right wing for Barça is exhilarating, whether it’s through his signature trivela, his dazzling trickery to outmaneuver defenders multiple times, his creative instincts, or simply the quality of his goals and assists.
Yet, those who have faced him emphasize another aspect: his decision-making, maturity, and the responsibility he embraces at such a young age.
“You can see his influence on the team,” Getafe midfielder Luis Milla shared with ESPN. “At that age, it’s remarkable. During the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal between Atlético Madrid and Barça, you could see from the outset how he energizes his teammates.”
“We are witnessing a player who could define an era if he maintains this trajectory. We need to cherish him in Spain, show him some support, and enjoy his national team performances.”
Spain teammate Unai Simón echoed this sentiment. “Lamine is a game-changer,” the Athletic Club goalkeeper told ESPN. “Much of our play revolves around him. I believe he’s the best player in LaLiga.”
“Whenever he gets the ball, he attracts three defenders. At just 18, he plays like someone with over a thousand matches under his belt. Beyond his talent, his instinct for making the right decisions is crucial. He reads the game perfectly.”
It’s this aspect of his game that distinguishes him from others on the pitch.
“It’s rare for an 18-year-old to exhibit such maturity,” Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski noted to ESPN. “Very few players his age are that adept in this facet, which is why he ranks among the most gifted in the world.”
His performance left Inter Milan players and staff stunned during last season’s Champions League semifinal. Simone Inzaghi remarked that Yamal is a player who comes along, “once every 50 years,” while defender Alessandro Bastoni referred to him as a “monster, a frighteningly talented kid.”
Yamal’s statistics from his 28 LaLiga appearances this season speak volumes. He ranked second for goal contributions (27), following only Mbappé (30). He finished fourth in goals scored (16) and first in assists (11). In terms of chances created (72), he placed fourth, was first in final-third passes (733), second in through balls (22), and led in attempted take-ons (285), achieving a successful rate of 46.7%.
“Lamine is remarkable in that he can create goals, turn a match around, score, and make things happen… he can do it all,” remarked Villarreal striker Ayoze Pérez to ESPN.
1:28
Can Mbappé challenge Pele to become the best World Cup player of all time?
Player Insights on Mbappé
Mbappé is equally versatile, but he has transitioned into more of a No. 9 striker role at Madrid, despite previously preferring to operate from the left wing with a target player up front.
He finished the LaLiga season as the top scorer with 25 goals — nine more than Yamal, albeit having played 336 more minutes. Overall, he has accumulated 86 goals in 103 appearances for Madrid across all competitions since joining the club in 2024.
“The statistics he has accumulated at Madrid in just [two seasons] place him alongside legends of the club,” Real Sociedad midfielder Carlos Soler, who formerly played with Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain, shared with ESPN. “He has the confidence and personality to take risks… and it usually pays off. He’s adept at finding solutions regardless of the opposition.”
However, compared to Yamal, Mbappé contributes less in terms of playmaking, albeit scoring remains a crucial element of football.
He recorded just five assists in LaLiga over 31 appearances, placing 25th overall, but was still prominent in other categories. He ranked seventh for chances created (65), third for passes in the final third (616), and fourth for attempted take-ons (175), of which he succeeded 44.6% of the time.
“Mbappé has become more of a No. 9, showcasing a goal-scoring instinct,” Villarreal’s Pérez added.
The data indicates that even as he takes on a more central role at Madrid, he remains effective at dribbling and creating scoring opportunities.
“I’ve encountered Mbappé more often [than Yamal] given my position, having played against teams like Manchester United and Marseille,” Real Oviedo defender Eric Bailly remarked to ESPN. “He is the player that has made it most challenging for me.”
Besides his dribbling skills, he has improved his ability to make runs behind defenses. According to LaLiga Football Intelligence and Performance, Rayo Vallecano‘s Andrei Ratiu clocked the league’s top speed last season at 35.78 km/h (22.23 mph), with Mbappé closely following at 35.24 km/h (for context, Yamal reached 33.55 km/h).
“He’s the fastest player I’ve ever encountered,” Poland and Aston Villa right back Matty Cash stated after facing Mbappé at the past World Cup.
“I’m watching the [analysis] videos while lying in bed the night before the match, but then I face him on the pitch, and he’s leaving me in his dust — that’s the difference.” Alavés striker Lucas Boyé told ESPN: “Right now, Mbappé stands above all due to his speed and finishing ability. He’s the best player in the world currently.”
1:22
World Cup legends and celebrities reveal their tournament predictions
The Numbers Behind the Players
As Mbappé shifts into a more central attacking role at Real Madrid, there have been slight reductions in the defensive contributions. A now-famous clip shows former PSG manager Luis Enrique urging him to “defend with aggression,” akin to how NBA legend Michael Jordan approached the game.
“You’re phenomenal,” Luis Enrique told him. “But that’s not sufficient. I’m counting on you to lead the pressing efforts. Then we’ll become a formidable outfit.”
Since Mbappé departed in 2024, PSG has captured consecutive Champions League titles. Meanwhile, he has yet to secure a major trophy with Madrid, and criticism for his off-the-ball work has been voiced. He ranked low (445th) in defensive interventions in LaLiga, with only nine recorded from players who made ten or more appearances this season.
This statistic gained traction online but deserves context. Defensive interventions are certain actions in the defensive zone. While it’s not expected for Mbappé to frequently track back, Madrid is known for their attacking play.
A more reliable measure, and aligned with what Luis Enrique was implying, is pressing intensity. In this regard, Mbappé performed moderately better, ranking 300th (out of 445) for ball recoveries, with 44, and 427th for ball recoveries per 90 minutes (1.52).
The same scrutiny applies to Yamal. Frequently, the best player on a team is perceived as someone who can skip some off-the-ball duties to maintain freshness for pivotal moments. However, his statistics exceed those of Mbappé, possibly a reflection of the demands set forth by Barça coach Hansi Flick.
Yamal totaled 73 defensive recoveries, finishing 273rd in LaLiga, while his ball recoveries reached 99 (83rd overall), averaging 3.93 per 90 minutes (189th in LaLiga). This disparity may stem from their distinct roles on the field.
“Comparisons are unwarranted, as Mbappé presently plays a different position than Lamine,” former Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci commented to ESPN. “Both are elite players; declaring one better than the other is nearly impossible.”
The importance of defensive contributions is significant. Recent years have shown that teams excelling as cohesive units, where all players actively engage on both sides of the ball, tend to achieve the greatest success. Nonetheless, in high-stakes international matches, the unique ingenuity of star players like Yamal or Mbappé could make all the difference.
“Mbappé [is superior at the moment],” Soler added. “Primarily because I have played alongside him at PSG and observe his sustained excellence at the highest level. Lamine is on a similar ascendancy but hasn’t been around as long.”
Conversely, Rayo’s Jorge de Frutos offered a different perspective.
“I would choose Lamine,” De Frutos said to ESPN. “His potential for improvement is astonishing. His journey thus far has been remarkable. He truly stands out when he has the ball. While Mbappé certainly does as well, I lean towards Lamine.”
Villarreal’s Pérez concluded, “They are two superstars, the kind of players who are a joy to watch. We’re fortunate to have both in LaLiga.”
As former England center-back Rio Ferdinand wisely stated regarding the legendary Lionel Messi–Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry, “Just enjoy them, man.”
ESPN’s Lluís Bou, Rodra, and Moisés Llorens provided contributions to this report.