On a night when seasoned professionals battled it out in the Champions League semi-finals, it was a 17-year-old who stole the entire spotlight.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal reminded the world why football is often a young man’s game—and left legends in awe while doing it.
Despite a shaky start for Barcelona in their 3-3 draw with Inter Milan, Yamal was electric.
From stunning solo runs to game-changing moments, the teenager didn’t just show up—he took over.
And that had former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand raving like a fan watching magic unfold.
Rio Ferdinand Declares Yamal the Best in the Game
Rio Ferdinand wasn’t shy about what he witnessed.
Watching from the commentary box for TNT Sports, he could barely contain his excitement.
After the game, he jumped onto X (formerly Twitter) and dropped a bold take:
“As a pure football talent I’m going as far as to say I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing the game in the top 5 leagues in world football. 17yrs old – Truly unbelievable.”
That’s not casual praise. That’s an all-in endorsement.
Barcelona Looks to Their Youngest for Hope
Even though he was the youngest player on the pitch, Barcelona didn’t hesitate to rely on Yamal.
With the team trailing 2-0 early, it was Yamal who lit the spark.
He pulled one back with a stunning solo goal and continued to torment Inter’s backline.
Ferdinand, who was providing co-commentary, could hardly believe what he was seeing.
“This kid is taking the mick,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“He’s taking liberties on the biggest stage. Every time Barcelona look to break through, it’s the youngest player they turn to.”
A Performance That Had Legends in Awe
It wasn’t just Ferdinand who was blown away. CBS Sports’ pundit panel—which included Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards—was full of praise too.
Carragher even made the ultimate comparison:
“That was Messi-esque. Like watching Messi in his prime. The whole stadium just paused to see what Yamal would do next.”
A graphic shown during the broadcast underlined just how extraordinary Yamal’s numbers are—he matched Lionel Messi in goal contributions across their first 100 games for Barcelona, with Yamal leading in assists.
Thierry Henry Suggests Yamal Could Surpass Messi
Thierry Henry didn’t hold back either. Reflecting on what Yamal has already accomplished at such a young age, Henry admitted he was floored:
“You think no one will ever be better than Messi or Ronaldo… and then Lamine Yamal shows up. What he’s doing is just not normal.”
When someone like Henry—who’s played with and against some of the greatest in history—says that, you know it’s serious.
A Match That Had Everything
Barcelona’s path to the Champions League final still hangs in the balance, but they’ll be thankful for Yamal keeping them alive.
The night began poorly, with Marcus Thuram scoring for Inter just 30 seconds in, followed by a sensational acrobatic finish from Denzel Dumfries.
Yamal pulled one back, Ferran Torres made it 2-2 before halftime, but Inter struck again after the break.
Eventually, Raphinha’s fierce shot deflected in off Yann Sommer to level things once more.
It was a breathless match—but through it all, Yamal stood tallest.
A Scare Before the Show
What makes the performance even more incredible is that Yamal nearly didn’t start.
He was seen leaving warm-up early, sparking fears of an injury.
But come kick-off, he was ready—and what a show he delivered.
Ferdinand later described the privilege of witnessing the teenager live, saying, “Everything he touched had purpose.
Every run, every pass, it was all just beautiful to watch.”
Ballon d’Or Buzz Already Heating Up
With the Ballon d’Or race wide open this season, Yamal’s name is now being whispered alongside football’s elite.
While Mohamed Salah has powered Liverpool to their 20th league title, their early Champions League exit may hurt his chances.
Over in Paris, Ousmane Dembélé’s 25 goals for PSG have thrust him into the conversation.
And even Raphinha, Yamal’s teammate, is being touted as a contender after a stellar year.
But none have captured the imagination like Yamal.
Age is Just a Number for This Prodigy
Yamal has already racked up 39 goal contributions in just 49 appearances this season—and he’s only 17.
Injuries kept him out for two months earlier in the campaign, which might weigh against him in awards voting. But his impact can’t be overstated.
And with him not turning 18 until July, it’s not just a bright future—it’s a historic one unfolding in real-time.
What’s Next for Yamal?
As Barcelona prepares for the second leg of the semi-final, one thing is clear—they’ll be counting on Yamal to lead the charge once again.
He’s already being talked about as a generational talent, perhaps even a Ballon d’Or winner in the making.
The scary part? He’s just getting started.