“Better Than Messi & Ronaldo at 17” — Rio Ferdinand Hails Lamine Yamal’s Meteoric Rise
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has sent shockwaves through the football world with a bold statement: Lamine Yamal is better at 17 than both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were at the same age.
Speaking on his “Rio Ferdinand Presents” podcast, the former England international didn’t hold back:
“Yes! Lamine Yamal is better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi at 17 years old,” Ferdinand declared.
“The body of work at 17 years old — no one’s done it. Pele maybe, but I didn’t see Pele. But this guy is doing stuff.”
🧠 Opinion – A Star Among Legends or Too Early to Compare?
Yamal’s performances for Spain at Euro 2024 and his stunning contributions to Barcelona’s domestic treble this past season have already stamped him as a generational talent. His calmness on the ball, creativity, and maturity far beyond his age have left fans and pundits spellbound.
But while Ferdinand’s take is exciting, it’s also a heavy crown to place on such young shoulders. Messi and Ronaldo didn’t just rise — they dominated football for two decades, winning 13 Ballon d’Ors between them and rewriting history.
Yamal is certainly ahead of where they were at 17, statistically and in terms of big-stage presence. But football greatness is measured over time, not just flashes of brilliance.
📊 Yamal at 17 – Record Breaker:
Youngest scorer in Euro history
Key player in Barça’s La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs
Contender for 2025 Ballon d’Or
Already a regular starter for both Barcelona and Spain
🌍 Fans React:
💬 “Messi didn’t do this at 17. Respect Yamal!”
💬 “Let’s not put pressure on the boy. Let him grow.”
💬 “Yamal is generational. If he stays fit, he’s winning multiple Ballon d’Ors.”
⚽ Final Whistle:
Lamine Yamal is not just a prodigy — he’s setting the stage for a new era of football excellence. But greatness isn’t defined by moments — it’s a marathon.
Still, if this is the beginning, we may very well be witnessing football’s next true icon in the making.
👉 Do you agree with Rio Ferdinand?
Is Yamal truly ahead of Ronaldo and Messi at 17, or are we rushing to conclusions?
Drop your thoughts below 👇
#Yamal17 #TheFutureIsNow #BarcaDNA #LaRojaMagic #NextGOAT
