Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not hold back his praise for Lamine Yamal during his participation as an analyst in FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2026 World Cup. The former Swedish striker once again placed the young FC Barcelona player among the footballers he most enjoys watching today.

For Ibrahimovic, Lamine is not only one of the tournament’s biggest attractions, but also "the best player in the world," a statement that once again fuels the debate over the impact the Spanish winger has had at just 18 years old.

Ibrahimovic’s Top 5 of the World Cup

During the broadcast, Ibrahimovic was asked to name his Top 5 favorite footballers at the 2026 World Cup. His list included several of the tournament’s biggest stars:

• Lamine Yamal
• Kylian Mbappé
• Lionel Messi
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Erling Haaland

The Barcelona player’s presence alongside historic names such as Messi and Cristiano, as well as established stars like Mbappé and Haaland, reflects the enormous prestige the Spanish international already has among football legends.