Rio Ferdinand says 'artist' Lamine Yamal is 'ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi' for his age after UEFA Champions League display
By James Hilsum
Updated 03/05/2025 at 13:40 GMT+1
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Rio Ferdinand marvelled at the display of Lamine Yamal in Barcelona's pulsating 3-3 draw with Internazionale on Wednesday night. The 17-year-old scored with a majestic individual effort against the Nerazzurri in a blockbuster night of entertainment at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. Ferdinand explained that Yamal's progression at 17 is better than two of football's all-time greats.
Cristiano and Messi 'nowhere near' Yamal at 17
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rio Ferdinand hailed Lamine Yamal following a stunning performance for Barcelona against Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League, and believes his progression is better than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the same age.
Yamal marked his 100th Barca appearance in style with a superb individual goal in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday, and Ferdinand waxed lyrical about the 17-year-old's display.
He told TNT Sports: "It was one of the best 45 minutes I've seen - definitely from a young player - but almost from any player I've seen live.
"It's just ridiculous what he's done. His ability to take people on. I think the thing that really caught my eye about him, other than the moments of brilliance, is that every part of his left foot was used in that game. He's an artist.
"At this age, he's ahead of Cristiano, he's ahead of Messi. His stats alone - he's had 100 appearances at 17! These guys were nowhere near that and he's dominating games, he's defining games."
The forward already has an extensive honours list which would be the dream trophy haul of seasoned veterans, and includes one Spanish title, one Spanish Cup and a Euro 2024 winners' medal with Spain.
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Highlights: Yamal stars as Barca and Inter play out six-goal thriller
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ferdinand explained that Yamal’s success at such a tender age is unprecedented, and added: "The trophies that he's won, and he's been integral to winning those trophies for both club and country. He's on the cusp of maybe doing a treble for Barcelona and being one of the best players. At 17, we have not seen this.
"His confidence in games is there for all to see. What was great the other day was the press conference; he was so confident in the press conference that himself and Barcelona are in an era to dominate."
The conversation between Ferdinand and Peter Crouch turned to Yamal’s performances coming through the youth team.
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'Mesmerising' from Yamal as he scores worldie for Barcelona
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ferdinand and Crouch highlighted how the teenager is simply replicating those displays at the very highest level.
Ferdinand continued: "Crouchy, you made a great point earlier. When you see his clips as a baby or 10, 11, 12, 13 years old, he's only mirroring what he's doing now. That's the scary part.
"I only saw the clips of him after this performance [v Inter] that were coming out, as a kid in the youth team, and he was literally doing this, but now he’s doing it at the highest stage of them all."
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Yamal brilliance 'not normal' - 'We haven't seen it before'
Video credit: TNT Sports
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