Barcelona have seen some extraordinary talents emerge from La Masia, but the latest prodigy is already attracting comparisons with the greatest player in the club’s history. At just 19, Lamine Yamal has finished among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or on three occasions, and one former teammate believes those achievements could be only the beginning. He has even suggested that seven wins would not come as a surprise.
Lamine Yamal is the closest player to Messi, says former Barcelona teammate
The assessment comes from 29-year-old Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona and had the opportunity to watch Yamal develop at close quarters. Speaking during a meeting with supporters at Old Trafford, the Manchester United forward recalled a conversation with the teenager shortly before leaving the Catalan club, when he told him that his ability stood above that of the other gifted players he had encountered.“Before I left Barça, I told Lamine Yamal that I’d played with some very talented players, but that he’s head and shoulders above them all,” Rashford said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Soccer Football – LaLiga – FC Barcelona v Elche – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain – November 2, 2025 FC Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their third goal with Lamine Yamal REUTERS/Albert Gea
Rashford’s praise went beyond the usual admiration reserved for a promising young footballer. Having played alongside Yamal, he believes the teenager possesses a level of natural ability rarely seen at such an early stage of a career, drawing a comparison with Lionel Messi that few players would be considered worthy of receiving.“I’ve never seen a player of that age with as much talent as him; he’s the closest anyone has come to Messi’s level over the years.”Yamal has already finished second, third and eighth in the Ballon d’Or voting, an extraordinary sequence of results for a player who is still only 19. Rashford sees those finishes as an indication of what could follow, rather than the limits of what the Barcelona forward might achieve.“I really believe in his talent; if he goes on to win seven Ballon d’Ors, it won’t surprise me. He’s finished second, third and eighth. And at what age? Nineteen?”
Why Messi remains beyond comparison
For all the parallels Rashford sees between the two Barcelona forwards, he does not believe that Yamal, or any other player currently emerging, can necessarily reproduce Messi’s complete command of the game. His assessment of the Argentine was less a comparison between two players than an acknowledgement of how unusual Messi’s combination of technical ability, creativity and consistency has been.“He’s an incredible player. We’ll probably never see another player in our lifetime who is as complete a genius as Leo.”Rashford also discussed the latest Ballon d’Or result, backing Harry Kane as a deserving winner. Kane’s extraordinary output in front of goal, alongside his contribution in creating opportunities for teammates, had made a strong impression on the United forward.“He scored an absurd number of goals this year and provided an absurd number of assists. I sent him a text the other day and told him he deserved it.”
Why Rashford chose Manchester United over another Premier League move
The conversation also offered an insight into Rashford’s own career decisions, particularly his determination not to establish himself at another English club if a return to Manchester United became possible.After his spell at Barcelona, Rashford reflected on his earlier experience at Aston Villa and the prospect of continuing his career elsewhere in the Premier League. He explained that playing against United season after season was something he had little appetite for, preferring a move abroad if returning to Old Trafford was not an option.“I realised one thing… I couldn’t keep playing against United every season. If United isn’t an option, I told my agent to take me abroad – don’t take me to another Premier League club,” he said.
Marcus Rashford. (Reuters Photo)
The decision was not made in isolation. Rashford revealed that he had spoken to two figures with considerable experience of Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick, before committing to his return. Their advice helped him consider what another spell at the club would involve and whether the move was the right step for his career.Both men understand the expectations attached to playing for United, having experienced different periods of the club’s modern history. Rashford’s conversations with them ultimately helped convince him that his future remained at Old Trafford rather than with another European side.
