Another debate over best in the world is in its early stages, but Thuram stakes quick claim for fellow countrymen
Marcus Thuram may have witnessed Lamine Yamal’s dazzling display against his team’s defence first hand at the Estadi Olimpic on Wednesday, but the Inter Milan forward is not ready to call the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy the best in the world just yet.
Thuram, who returned from injury to score within the first minute of the game, made it clear where his allegiances lie when asked whether the Barcelona winger was the world’s top player currently.
“No, he’s not,” said Thuram. “The best player in the world is French. And the second is also French. Ousmane and Kylian. Yamal is maybe third.”
Yamal responded to Thuram’s early goal with a moment of solo brilliance that ignited Barcelona’s comeback. His effort brought the score to 2-1, and he continued to cause problems for Inter throughout the night. Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said after the game that the 17-year-old was “a phenomenon that comes around every 50 years”.
Thuram’s compatriot Ousmane Dembele is enjoying the most prolific season of his career with Paris Saint-Germain. The former Barcelona winger has netted 33 times this season, with 25 of those goals coming in 2025, making him Europe’s most lethal finisher this calendar year. He also scored the lone goal in PSG’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the other semi-final match.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has scored 34 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid despite still adapting to a move from France to the La Liga.
Barcelona and Inter will settle their semi-final tie in the second leg at the San Siro next Tuesday. The winner will face either PSG or Arsenal in the final in Munich, meaning that Yamal and Dembele could yet clash in a battle for Europe’s top prize.
