World Cup 2026 winner Lamine Yamal included Barcelona and Real Madrid icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a glittering all-time XI.

Having already won a European Championship and World Cup at just 19 years of age, not to mention three La Liga titles with Barcelona, the winger is already being tipped to eventually overtake Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time.

But who does the Spain international consider to be worthy of football GOAT status? Last year, Yamal appeared on China Media Group‘s “Total Soccer” program and was asked to select his greatest XI of all time.

He opted for both Messi and Ronaldo in a breathtaking attack. The long-time rivals are not the only El Clasico legends included, though there was surprisingly no room for Xavi, Andres Iniesta or Sergio Busquets.

GK: Iker Casillas

Spain has produced several outstanding goalkeepers, and Iker Casillas is up there with the very best. The Real Madrid legend was not the tallest or most physically dominant goalkeeper, but his extraordinary athleticism allowed him to make world-class saves on a regular basis.

Casillas sits second on Madrid’s all-time appearance list and was a vital figure for both club and country. He delivered when it mattered for Spain at Euro 2008, captaining La Roja while conceding only two goals on the way to the nation’s first major trophy in 44 years.

RB: Dani Alves

The Barcelona juggernaut that Pep Guardiola assembled was packed with elite players who operated in perfect tiki-taka harmony, and Dani Alves was a prime example. The Brazilian brilliantly supported Lionel Messi down the right flank and was regularly seen charging forward to provide an overlapping option.

Alves was also a reliable defender who knew how to time a challenge and usually made the correct decision under pressure. He was outstanding during Barca’s 2010-11 campaign, recording 16 assists in all competitions and especially impressing against Manchester United in the 3-1 Champions League final victory.

CB: Gerard Pique

Whenever Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos crossed paths at club level, fireworks usually followed during their spells with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both were hugely important for their teams and brought contrasting qualities, which were then used effectively on the international stage.

Pique was composed, assured in possession and a dependable aerial presence thanks to his six-foot-four-inch frame. He thrived alongside Carlos Puyol during Pep Guardiola’s reign after returning to Camp Nou from Manchester United in 2008, and enjoyed similar success with Ramos.

CB: Sergio Ramos

Ramos was a fierce competitor who never shied away from putting his body on the line or handling the less glamorous side of defending, with a red card never feeling far away in El Clasico battles. His relentless winning mentality proved vital for Madrid during their Champions League three-peat, which came after his famous header helped secure European glory against Atletico Madrid in 2014.

Ramos loved to bend the rules, but he was also an exceptional footballer. Blessed with strong technique and a dash of flair, he was excellent at helping build play from the back and occasionally venturing further forward.

LB: Marcelo

Carlo Ancelotti was moved to tears at Marcelo’s farewell ceremony in June 2022 after the left-back brought his Real Madrid journey to an end. He returned to Brazil for the final chapter of his career, but by then his legacy as one of football’s greatest attacking full-backs was already secure.

Marcelo brought Brazilian flair to the Santiago Bernabeu, using his agility, balance and trickery to devastating effect down the left side. He was also a dream player for managers because of his tireless work rate and ability to help both Los Blancos and Brazil move quickly through transitions.

CM: Zinedine Zidane

Lamine Yamal chose Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane ahead of Barcelona’s legendary midfield trio of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. That says plenty about the Frenchman’s enormous influence on the sport, with his remarkable vision and creativity regularly bringing Los Blancos to life.

Zidane often appeared to play the game at his own pace, dictating matches in midfield alongside fellow Galacticos such as Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario, David Beckham and Roberto Carlos. He had a taste for decisive moments too, including his stunning volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.

AM: Neymar

Neymar was another Brazilian superstar who lit up Camp Nou during his four seasons alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona, before completing a controversial £200m move to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017. The French giants were fully aware of his extraordinary talent, which is why they were prepared to pay a world-record fee for the forward.

The Santos graduate has attracted criticism both on and off the pitch, but at his peak, his performance levels and ingenuity could rival any player in football history. He glided beyond defenders with ease and often did so just before curling the ball effortlessly into the bottom corner.

AM: Lionel Messi

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

It is easy to see why Lamine Yamal is compared with Lionel Messi, given their shared style of play and rapid emergence at Camp Nou. However, the Spaniard doesn’t like comparisons, especially not with “the best player in history”.

Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph meant the Argentine had effectively completed football, adding the one missing prize to sit alongside his eight Ballons d’Or. His fearless dribbling, game intelligence and unmatched technical quality have shaped the modern game for years, and he continues to shine with Inter Miami away from Europe’s main stage.

RW: Ronaldinho

It is not entirely clear what formation Lamine Yamal had in mind, as he appeared to set up with a five-player attack and placed Ronaldinho on the right. There was almost no chance he would leave out arguably the most entertaining footballer ever to wear Barcelona’s famous red and blue shirt.

Ronaldinho was a dazzling entertainer who embarrassed opponents with a vast collection of tricks, including his famous dancing goal against Chelsea in 2005. His Selecao magic helped create the platform for players such as Lionel Messi and Yamal to display their own world-class ability.

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected vs Spain via Reuters/Maria Lysaker

Cristiano Ronaldo was named on the left wing in Lamine Yamal’s XI, although he would likely be given the freedom to drift inside as he so often did during his nine years at Real Madrid. He thrived throughout Los Blancos’ period of Champions League dominance and shattered numerous records, including becoming the competition’s all-time top scorer with 140 goals.

Earlier in his career, Ronaldo was spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United during a pre-season friendly, and his move to Old Trafford soon brought trophies, goals and global stardom. He is still showing that age is only a number at Al-Nassr, while also captaining Portugal at the age of 41.

Ronaldo Nazario

Very few number nines have ever resembled Ronaldo Nazario, who was close to unstoppable at his peak as he overpowered defenders and scored goals with ease. He was the driving force behind Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph, winning the Golden Boot after scoring eight times.

Ronaldo Nazario possessed explosive pace, instinctive movement and a ruthless finish that helped Real Madrid win La Liga twice. Had fitness problems not interrupted his career, he would likely have collected even more silverware, including the Champions League winners’ medal that ultimately eluded him.