Man United legend waxes lyrical over Barcelona jewel: ‘Messi wasn’t doing what this kid is…’ | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal was central to Barcelona’s win over Benfica midweek as he set up Raphinha for the team’s opener and then scored a screamer from outside the box to double the lead.

To decide matches in the UEFA Champions League with such ease as a 17-year-old is unheard of, but it is Yamal who made it mainstream such that his achievements are no longer considered abnormal.

The teenage phenom has been one of the core creators week in and week out for the Catalans this season and no amount of pressure ever seems to get to him or his performances.

English legend praises Yamal

Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend and football pundit Rio Ferdinand showered praise on Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal without holding back in any capacity.

He stressed the greatness of what Yamal was producing consistently at the age of 17 and stated that not even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were at that level at his age.

“Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t doing what Lamine Yamal was doing at the same age. Rooney didn’t do that. Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, Owen, Zidane, Ronaldinho… none of them were performing as consistently and consistently as this player.”

“With Lamine, we’ve never seen anything like this before. Most of the great players came in at 18. They may have played at 17, but they really shined at 18,” he added on Yamal’s prowess.

He then spoke on how many people argue about Messi being equally good at 17 and how he did not agree in that respect.

“I’ve had messages from people saying, ‘Did you see Messi at 17?’ Yes, I saw Messi at that age, but he didn’t score five goals for Barcelona at 17. I’m sure of that.”

“Messi joined a star-studded Barcelona team, one of the best at the time with Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto’o, Xavi, Dani Alves and more. This kid, Lamine Yamal, is leading the team himself and should be a mainstay immediately,” he added.

Yamal is better than Messi, Ronaldo at 17, says Ferdinand. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Ferdinand then went on to detail the impact Yamal has on the current Barcelona team and how he is central to the team’s success at his young age.

“Lamine doesn’t play a supporting role. He doesn’t come off the bench just to give a glimpse. No, no, he’s the player who has the responsibility of leading the team.”

The Manchester United legend, needless to say, is right in praising the La Masia starlet for the responsibility he shoulders and the consistency he provides on the biggest stages. He thus admitted that Yamal may well be the best 17-year-old player in history.

“I couldn’t start anywhere else but… Lamine Yamal. Let me repeat that: Lamine Yamal.”

“Has anyone done what this player did at 17? Maybe there were players older than him, maybe there were players with more talent or a higher ceiling. But he is already a star and will become a global star,” he added.

On the comparisons between Yamal and Messi and how they are inevitable, he said,

“He is the player who will become… like Messi. But Messi wasn’t doing what this kid is doing at 17 and 16 years old.”

Ferdinand then went on to highlight how ridiculous the Barcelona youngster’s CV is for a teenage player, especially given the central role he played on all fronts.

“He’s broken all the records: he’s the youngest player to appear in La Liga, the youngest player to score, the youngest player to provide an assist, and the youngest player to represent Barcelona.”

“It’s insane what he’s achieved so far. He’s broken all these records; he’s the youngest in every way. Lamine Yamal, or as I call him: ‘The youngest global star’,” he added.

Generational talent. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

He even praised the Golden Boy’s prominence for La Roja and how he was critical to the team’s Euro 2024 victory last year.

“He won the Euros. He wasn’t just part of the team, he was one of the key players. He has 12 goals and 17 assists so far, and there’s still a quarter of a season left. He’s only 17, but he’s already a key player for Barcelona.”

Finally, the legend of the game spoke about Yamal’s qualities as a footballer that make him stand out and how he is already one of the very best in the world.

“He can do it all right now. He can cut inside with his left foot and fire it into the top corner. He can pass the ball with a touch as precise as a brushstroke.”

“If you don’t give him enough space, he’ll dip his head and deliver a stunning pass to a teammate in perfect position. He creates goals as well as scoring them,” he added.

Ferdinand then concluded that it was not normal for a 17-year-old player to have the maturity that the Barcelona starlet possesses.

“His decision-making is like that of a 28-year-old professional player, and we need to realize what we are dealing with here. Are we talking about this player the way he deserves? I don’t think so.”

Source: Rio Ferdinand Presents