Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, claiming he is ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age. The winger has captivated fans and pundits alike with his stellar performances for Barcelona and Spain.
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Lamine Yamal’s rapid rise in football has captivated fans and pundits alike, with many already labeling him as the next big superstar. At just 17 years old, the Spanish sensation is not only excelling for Barcelona but has also played a key role in Spain’s UEFA European Championship victory.
‘We’ve never seen anything like this before’: Ferdinand
Now, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has made a bold statement, suggesting that Lamine Yamal is ahead of legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age. Messi and Ronaldo are considered the greatest footballers of the 21st century, boasting superhuman-like records.
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Rio Ferdinand, a former United defender turned football pundit, didn’t hold back in his praise for Yamal. Speaking on his show Rio Reacts, Ferdinand asserted that not even Messi, Ronaldo, or other footballing greats displayed the same level of consistency as Yamal at such a young age.
“Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t doing what Lamine is doing at the same age. Ronaldo Nazario, Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, Owen, Zidane, Ronaldinho… none of them have shown the consistency and continuity this young player delivers. It’s a fact,” Ferdinand said.
“Most of the greats started emerging at 18. They may have played at 17, but their real brilliance came at 18 and beyond. With Yamal, we’ve never seen anything like this before,” he added.
Yamal’s stellar stats
Yamal’s numbers back up the hype. The winger has been a huge contributor for Barcelona, registering 12 goals and 17 assists in 37 matches this season alone. Across his brief career, he has 19 goals and 24 assists in 88 appearances for the La Liga giants. In the 2024-25 Champions League, Yamal has three goals and three assists in 9 games.
Yamal played a crucial role in Spain’s triumph against England at the UEFA Euro 2024, further solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the game. He became the youngest player ever to win the European Championship and was also named the Young Player of the Tournament. Yamal was awarded the Kopa Trophy during the joint ceremony with the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
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Yamal will next be seen in action during Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga game against Atletico Madrid later in the evening. He is also expected to perform well in the Champions League quarterfinal match against Borussia Dortmund on 10 April.
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