Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has expressed gratitude to Argentine football legend Lionel Messi after revealing that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner called him to offer support following what he described as a “difficult night”.

Yamal shared the message in a Facebook post on Tuesday, praising Messi for checking on him and offering words of encouragement.

“A big thank you to Leo Messi. Goat!

“Thank you for calling me, checking on me, and giving me your support. Your words meant a lot to me, especially after a difficult night.

“I truly appreciate it, Leo. Much love and respect!” he wrote.

In a separate post, the Barcelona teenager also expressed his admiration for Messi’s performances, declaring that no player had performed better than the Argentine at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Yamal’s messages highlighted his respect for Messi, whom many football fans regard as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

The Spanish international has frequently spoken about his admiration for the former Barcelona captain, whose achievements at club and international level have made him a major influence on younger generations of footballers.

Yamal’s reference to a “difficult night” attracted attention amid reports surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London. However, he did not explicitly state that the award results were the reason for Messi’s call.

The young forward’s reported posts also drew attention because of the long-standing connection between Messi and Barcelona, where the Argentine spent much of his professional career before leaving in 2021.

Yamal has since emerged as one of Barcelona’s prominent young players, earning recognition for his performances for both club and country.

His message to Messi reflects the mutual respect between established football stars and younger players who have grown up watching their careers.