Lamine Yamal is already a level up from where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were at the same age as the Barcelona superstar.
That is according to Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who thinks Yamal is already proving himself as a calibre above his peers, too.
Yamal has been a phenomenon since he broke into Barca's first team in 2023.
At the age of 19 years and 120 days, Yamal has already played 167 games for Barca, scoring 62 goals and laying on 57 assists. He has made 37 appearances for Spain, registering 23 goal involvements for La Roja, and playing a key role in their Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026 triumphs.
Since Yamal made his Barca debut at the age of 15 in April 2023, only Harry Kane (204), Kylian Mbappe (179), Erling Haaland (148), Raphinha (130), Mohamed Salah (129) and Michael Olise (125) have registered more goal involvements than Yamal's 119 across all competitions, among players to feature for a team in Europe's top five leagues in that time.
And Gerrard feels Yamal is well ahead of the curve even when compared to the iconic Messi and Ronaldo.
"He's the one player I would say who potentially has that level [of Messi and Ronaldo] if he continues to evolve," Gerrard said on The Overlap Daily.
"Mbappe and Haaland are around there, in terms of being in their prime years right now, but it seems to me that Lamine is just a bit above that.
"The biggest challenge for him - and those around him at Barcelona - is how they keep him hungry?
"In terms of talent and potential, he's doing things on a football pitch that I've never seen a 19-year-old do.
"He's more advanced than Ronaldo was at 19. I played against Messi as a youngster, and he's probably more advanced than he was too."
Messi made his Barca debut at the age of 17 in 2004, while at 19, Ronaldo was playing regularly for Manchester United.
The big question for Gerrard is whether Yamal can match the consistent heights that both Messi and Ronaldo have managed over the years.
"Is he going to have the consistency that they both had?" Gerrard said.
"Can he get the goals they did – and will he evolve into a number nine?"
shinkumbi
1
the boy is gifted
Kunlespur
0
That is the future that we cannot tell, but below 19 years for three of them Yamah is ahead.
Yamal was favored cos he was born in Spain, Neymar at Santos was more talented and brighter than Yamal anytime any day.
Kunlespur
0
bro what do you mean? he was good but not at the same level with yamal man
Mbappe was electrifying...more dangerous and unpredictable at Yamals age, he only lacked Yamal's kind of PR. And his consistency is top notch.
/MADRIDISTA
0
bro what do you mean? he was good but not at the same level with yamal man
You’re mad.
vobanouy
1
Can Yamal eventually break Messi and Ronaldo's records? I want honest opinions!
I think he will broke every record of Messi and Ronaldo but not goals and free kick
vobanouy
0
ya he has shown so much .. no doubt in it . but i remember mbappe aswell who burst in the scene.. if u r not forgetting then try to remember mbappe had a way better teenage than yamal
bro what do you mean? he was good but not at the same level with yamal man
nauikmosy
0
So,at 19, Yamal has won WORLD CUP, EURO, 3 LA LIGA TITLES already?
Rodri won the wc for Spain Rafinha won the title for Barcelona. Yamal can goes fly kite.
nauikmosy
0
We might be watching the beginning of another football legend. Barcelona fans, are you ready? 🔵🔴
No. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
MalikyMusty
1
His numbers is always getting better. record are meant to be broken so anything can happen. let's enjoy his time.
Mezdkmsyz
0
While Messi is the thief amongst thieves
Messi is not a thief only fools and losers like use that to cover up ur shame😂Messi is the rightful owner of ur club Real Madrid, Perez can testify to it fool🤣🤣
DroWils
0
Ronaldo is even the least of them🤧
While Messi is the thief amongst thieves
Mezdkmsyz
0
He can be ahead of Messi not CR7
[image]
Ronaldo is even the least of them🤧
Football_Messi
3
ya he has shown so much .. no doubt in it . but i remember mbappe aswell who burst in the scene.. if u r not forgetting then try to remember mbappe had a way better teenage than yamal
DroWils
0
God will punish you . Foolish being
I now see why your family is broke
BudsNow420
1
Can Yamal eventually break Messi and Ronaldo's records? I want honest opinions!
BudsNow420
2
Is Yamal genuinely ahead of Messi at the same age, or are we getting carried away by the hype?
BudsNow420
0
We might be watching the beginning of another football legend. Barcelona fans, are you ready? 🔵🔴
BudsNow420
0
Messi had magic, Ronaldo had determination, and Yamal has his own unique style. Let's enjoy the journey!
BudsNow420
0
At his age, Yamal is doing things most footballers only dream about. The future looks exciting!
BudsNow420
0
Yamal is special, no doubt! But matching Messi and Ronaldo's achievements is another level. Can he reach that level? 👀
Mirgod
0
based on stats, yes. based on quality and magic? do we need to answer that?
Lukcklmruz
0
stop comparing the legends of football with foolish things
He is talking of age 19 and you said foolish things . At least you would’ve appreciate him being your family member. Read and understand before you comment
Desciklnot
0
That is the future that we cannot tell, but below 19 years for three of them Yamah is ahead.
just cause he play more games at younger age
Lukcklmruz
0
He can be ahead of Messi not CR7
[image]
Kwasiapaniii
Lukcklmruz
0
He can be ahead of Messi not CR7
[image]
God will punish you . Foolish being
Desciklnot
0
Some people don’t understand what this man mean. Sample understanding and they are complaining. The man said at the age of 19 not about, that messi and ronaldo was not at the level of yamal . Sample English.
Messi 9 years old is ahead of Yamal any day
Amazing2020
0
I don't think so
Kooabemnpt
0
the king off yamal
Tobbclnpry
1
behind me a little bit 😜
Yamabclou
1
... ¢0astaa9aa9[tt0s0ata[tatra eyes) lll) hkklll.. N n n b... . 0 l0/. M. M as
Nesblntuz
0
But he won’t reach even half of Messi’s level. He’ll hardly even reach Neymar’s level
That is the future that we cannot tell, but below 19 years for three of them Yamah is ahead.
wohbloptuz
0
paderi
wohbloptuz
1
lamin
Nesblntuz
1
Some people don’t understand what this man mean. Sample understanding and they are complaining. The man said at the age of 19 not about, that messi and ronaldo was not at the level of yamal . Sample English.
Slow-Kelvin_10
1
But he won’t reach even half of Messi’s level. He’ll hardly even reach Neymar’s level
DroWils
1
He can be ahead of Messi not CR7
haaadikluz
1
So,at 19, Yamal has won WORLD CUP, EURO, 3 LA LIGA TITLES already?
kicakopsz
1
lies from pit of hell Gerard
Kocelprsty
3
stop comparing the legends of football with foolish things