Manchester United legend waxes lyrical over Barcelona superstar – ‘Made me love football again’ | OneFootball

Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, while also hailing his courage in confronting racism at just 18 years of age.

The past few days have not been easy for Lamine as he was targeted by racist abuse by a section of Atletico Madrid supporters this past weekend at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Not long before that, the 18-year-old wonderkid had to witness anti-Muslim chants at the RCDE Stadium when he was playing for the Spanish national team against Egypt in a friendly encounter.

Rio Ferdinand in awe of Lamine Yamal

Now, Lamine has received support from Ferdinand, who not only praised the quality of the Barcelona forward but also defended him against the racist abuse he received this past weekend.

The former England international also empathises with the disappointment that the 18-year-old wonderkid experienced at the RCDE Stadium.

“He’s made me love football again,” Ferdinand began, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“You know, before, when there were players like Maradona, Riquelme, Veron… that’s why I love football. People who dared to take on defenders, who did crazy things and simply took risks,” recalled the former Manchester United centre-back.

He continued, stressing that the Barcelona forward is more than just a footballer, having raised his voice against important issues.

Rio Ferdinand has sung praises of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“Lamine Yamal is in that category: the one who takes risks, who wants to entertain. If we’re talking about the best player in the world right now, he has to be in that conversation,” said Ferdinand.

“And you know what else I love about him? That he’s more than just a footballer.”

Referring to the post Yamal made after the match against Egypt, the English legend noted:

“He’s using his voice right now to draw attention to anti-Muslim chants in stadiums. ‘I’m Muslim. Yesterday in the stadium, the chant ‘whoever doesn’t jump is Muslim’ was heard. I know I was playing against the opposing team and that it wasn’t anything personal against me, but as a Muslim, it’s still disrespectful and intolerable.'”

Ferdinand concluded by highlighting the significance of Yamal speaking out at such a young age, as he remarked:

“This is a kid who’s speaking out, you know? He’s not a veteran who’s been doing this for 10 years.

“He’s an 18-year-old kid who’s decided for himself to say, ‘I’m not going to tolerate that, it’s disrespectful, it’s out of line, it’s racist, and people need to know that.’ And I thought that comment was absolutely perfect in tone.”