Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Barcelona's young prodigy, Lamine Yamal, claiming that the 17-year-old is more talented than Lionel Messi was at the same age.
The event, which took place on December 27, saw Ferdinand express his admiration for Yamal, who has quickly become one of the most prominent players for the Catalan giants. Yamal, a product of Barça’s renowned La Masia youth academy, made his senior team debut in a LaLiga match against Real Betis in April 2023 at just 15 years old. Since then, he has established himself as a regular starter for Barcelona, showcasing exceptional ball control, dribbling, and playmaking abilities that have drawn comparisons to Messi.
Ferdinand, speaking to reporters, stated, "I love Lamine Yamal. What a player. That’s why I’m here today. I want to see him, I want to hug him." He further added, "I don’t want to say Lamine Yamal will become the best player of all time, but I think he can. Messi at this age? At 16? Lamine influences matches, he’s decisive, he scores goals, he plays beautiful football, he’s magical. I love him. I love this player seriously." The young Spanish international was also instrumental in Spain's triumph at the 2024 European Championship, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in world football.
Despite currently recovering from an ankle injury, Yamal's contributions to Barcelona include 13 goals and 21 assists in 72 appearances across competitions.
Ferdinand's comments have sparked widespread discussion among football enthusiasts, with many eager to see how Yamal's career unfolds.
As the year draws to a close, the football world watches closely, anticipating the next chapter in the young player's promising journey.
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