Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has declared that Lamine Yamal, the teenage football prodigy, is already surpassing what Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi achieved at the same age. This bold statement comes as Yamal continues to impress following his outstanding performances for Spain during Euro 2024 and his contributions to Barcelona’s recent success.
Though Ronaldo and Messi remain iconic figures in football even in the later stages of their careers, Yamal has quickly distinguished himself as a remarkable talent destined for great heights. At just 17 years old, he has set multiple records and is strongly positioned as a potential Ballon d’Or contender for 2025.
Rio Ferdinand Compares Yamal’s Youthful Impact to Ronaldo and Messi
During an episode of his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former defender was asked whether Yamal was a better player than Ronaldo at age 17. Ferdinand confidently affirmed this, highlighting Yamal’s extraordinary potential and immediate impact on the field.
“Yes! Lamine Yamal is better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi at 17 years old. His potential or ceiling them to might be better. They’ve gone and produced it. But what I’m talking about, the body of work at 17 years old, no one’s done it. Pele may, but I didn’t see Pele. But this guy is doing stuff. So, we’re meant to be sitting there going. He’s had one bad game by the way in a big game [referring to the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain]. Every big game, we’ve seen him play, the guy’s produced.”
—Rio Ferdinand, Former Footballer and Analyst
Yamal’s 2024-25 season was instrumental in Barcelona claiming a domestic treble. He contributed directly to 43 goals over 55 appearances in various competitions, underscoring his influence and consistency at a very young age.
Appreciating Legends Without Constant Comparison, Says Ferdinand
In the same interview, Ferdinand urged football fans to move away from endlessly comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, despite being personally inclined toward Ronaldo given their shared time at Manchester United. He emphasized the importance of appreciating the unique greatness of both stars.
“I’ve obviously been a bit more swayed and talked about Ronaldo much more. But that’s because I played with him and there’s a bit of bias there and that’s just natural. You see who you are familiar with but to sit there and go, ‘Wow! I’m witnessing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. I’ve played against and with these guys. I am lucky. We’re in a period where they are still playing now. Just enjoy them. When I see, on, you’re lucky. You can’t call these two classic lucky.”
—Rio Ferdinand, Former Footballer and Analyst
Ferdinand’s unique vantage point of playing alongside Ronaldo and competing against Messi gives his observations added weight. His message encourages fans to savor the presence of these legends while acknowledging rising talents like Yamal.
What Yamal’s Rise Means for Football’s Future
Lamine Yamal’s rapid ascent is sparking conversations about the next generation of football superstars. By challenging the benchmarks set by Ronaldo and Messi in their teenage years, Yamal represents a new wave of exceptional talent that could shape the future of the sport. His achievements at 17 highlight both his immediate impact and the extensive promise he holds.
As Barcelona continues to build around him, and as he gains more experience on the international stage with Spain, the football world will be watching closely to see if Yamal can fulfill the high expectations set by legends before him. Ferdinand’s endorsement adds credibility to the notion that football’s next great chapter may already be unfolding.