Featured Image Credit: SPORT
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona, La Liga, Football, Ronaldo Nazario, Ballon d'Or
Luke Davies
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona, La Liga, Football, Ronaldo Nazario, Ballon d'Or
Marcus Rashford has named one former La Liga icon whose impact compares to Lamine Yamal’s.
Rashford, 27, completed a season-long loan move to Barcelona from parent club Manchester United earlier this summer and made his La Liga debut during Barca’s 3-0 win against Mallorca on Saturday.
The 27-year-old played 21 minutes after replacing Ferran Torres last weekend and will be hoping to make an impact in Barca’s next fixture against Levante on 23 August.
Of course, the Englishman is competing for a starting spot in Hansi Flick’s side with the likes of Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Yamal in forward positions.
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However, Rashford has previously been complimentary of Yamal and even publicly expressed his desire to play with the Spain international before he joined Barca earlier this summer.
"It's difficult to put into words what he's doing because you're not supposed to be doing that at 16/17 years old. I don't think we've seen anything like it before,” Rashford said of Yamal during an interview with xBuyer.
The 27-year-old has since weighed in on the Ballon d’Or debate and, as expected, backed Yamal to pick up the accolade.
When asked if Yamal deserves to win the gong during an interview with SPORT, Rashford replied: “Yes, definitely. If he doesn't win it this year, he will win it in the future. Dembélé, Raphinha, they all deserve it. It's hard to pick one, but they're all mature and have had a fantastic season. Lamine is so young that he's sure to win it.”
Later in the interview, Rashford then compared the teenager to who he described as “one of my favourite players to watch”, when he was growing up.
When questioned on whether Yamal is the most talented player he’s seen at his age, the Englishman responded: “And yes, he's the most talented player I've played with for his age. I haven't played with or seen anyone with the impact he has on the game. Maybe Ronaldo Nazario, 'The Phenomenon'. To have that influence on the pitch at such a young age and on such a consistent basis is incredible. He has a long career ahead of him, and I hope he maintains his level and even improves.”
Yamal turned 18 on July 13, having made his Barca debut as a 15-year-old.
At 18, Ronaldo Nazario was playing for PSV, where he scored 52 goals in 57 games before moving to Barca at 19.
By the time Yamal is 19, he could have three La Liga crowns to his name if Barca are successful this term.
At the same stage of his career, R9 had not yet won a European league title.