Thuram claims Yamal is third best player in the world, reveals top two | OneFootball

Inter striker Marcus Thuram believes that Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal is currently the third-best player on the planet, but he claims that the top two both play for the France national team.

Thuram and Inter had a chance to see what Yamal had to offer during the 3-3 draw in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday night.

Thuram opened the scoring after 30 seconds, Denzel Dumfries hit a brace, but the Nerazzurri were pegged back by a first-half wondergoal from the 17-year-old and equalisers from Ferran Torres and Raphinha.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale scores his team’s first goal whilst under pressure from Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

While Dumfries walked away with the player of the match award owing to his two goals and assist on the night in Montjuic, Yamal earned widespread praise for his performance as well, given that he scored an impressive individual goal, hit the woodwork twice and had the crowd entertained throughout the 90, despite requiring treatment just minutes before kick-off.

Thuram reveals top three players in the world: Yamal third

Speaking to French network Canal+ after full-time of the 3-3 draw between Barcelona and Inter, Nerazzurri forward Thuram explained where he thinks the 17-year-old Yamal ranks among the world’s current best players.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale saves a shot from Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“No, not at all,” Thuram said when asked if he thinks Yamal is the best player in the world.

“The best player in the world is French,” he continued. “And the second is also French. They are Ousmane (Dembele) and Kylian (Mbappe). Yamal is maybe third.”