• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lamine Yamal's record at 17 compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi proves we are witnessing something special

Home> Football> La Liga> FC Barcelona

Updated 16:49 7 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 16:47 7 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Lamine Yamal's record at 17 compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi proves we are witnessing something special

The teenager continues to shine on the biggest stage.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Lamine Yamal's record at 17 years, 10 months and 24 days old has been compared to that of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's when they were his age.

If his country manage to beat Portugal on Sunday night, then two-time La Liga winner Yamal will become a Nations League winner, just a year after he helped Spain lift a record-breaking fourth European Championship.

The teenager, who scored twice on Thursday as Luis de la Fuente's side held off France to reach the final, will be hoping to make more history when they visit the Allianz Arena this weekend.

Advert

It has been a remarkable rise for Yamal, who first appeared on our radar in April 2023, when he became Barcelona's youngest ever player after featuring against Real Betis at the age of 15 years, nine months and 16 days.

He would go on to smash Celestine Babayaro's record for being the youngest player ever to start a game in the Champions League at 16 years and 83 days, and soon smashed Gareth Bale's record as the youngest scorer in a European Championship qualification game.

Ahead of his 18th birthday next month, Yamal has netted 25 goals in 106 appearances for Barcelona's first team; not to mention his 20 caps and six goals for the Spanish national team.

How does his record compare to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when they were 17?

At 17 years and seven months old, Ronaldo made his debut for boyhood club Sporting in the UEFA Cup against Partizan Belgrade. Just a few days later, he made his debut in Portugal's top tier against Sporting Braga.

Before turning 18, Ronaldo had notched five goals and four assists for Sporting in 19 appearances, but had yet to make his debut for Portugal. Messi, meanwhile, had netted just once for Barcelona's first-team in nine games.

Advert

After making his first-team debut in a friendly against Porto at 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi would go ono to make his first competitive appearance for Barca against Espanyol at the age of 17 years, three months, and 22 days.

At 18, both players were starting to make their mark on world football. Messi scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for the Catalan giants, while Ronaldo impressed enough to earn a £12 million move to Manchester United.

Ronaldo and Messi's record at 17. Image credit: messivsronaldo.app
Ronaldo and Messi's record at 17. Image credit: messivsronaldo.app

Speaking ahead of the Nations League final, Portugal's all-time top goalscorer Ronaldo was full of praise for Yamal.

Advert

"Lamine Yamal? I ask you to let the boy grow for the good of football," he said. "Let him grow calmly and take the pressure off him. You can help him by leaving him alone because he doesn't lack talent."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Spain, Portugal, UEFA Nations League

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack is a Senior Journalist who enjoys a long read. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day, and has interviewed a handful of FM's finest, including Freddy Adu, Supat Rungratsamee and Mika Aaritalo.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Lamine Yamal record at 18 compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi speaks volumes
  • Cristiano Ronaldo makes his feelings clear on Lamine Yamal after lacklustre performance in Nations League final
  • Cristiano Ronaldo Jr gives ice cold response when streamer says Lamine Yamal is a better player than his dad
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has made his feelings clear on Lamine Yamal taking his and Lionel Messi's place

Choose your content:

14 mins ago
24 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 14 mins ago

    Man City told to 'pay with points' over 115 charges as explosive 'legal' claim made

    Jose Mourinho has made his feelings clear.

    Football
  • 24 mins ago

    Jose Mourinho didn't hesitate when naming who should win the Ballon d'Or and it's not Ousmane Dembele or Lamine Yamal

    The former Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs manager has weighed in on the Ballon d'Or debate.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Fans have already made up their minds on Martin Zubimendi after 45 minutes of AC Milan friendly

    Fans have all made up their minds regarding Martin Zubimendi after the Spain international made his Arsenal debut.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    EA Sports insider reveals shock change to FC 26 and fans claim the game is finally back

    An insider has provided information on a new change to EA FC 26 which fans are delighted with.

    Football