Rashford reveals a young talent who could rival Lamine Yamal

During his conversation with SPORT, Marcus Rashford was full of admiration for Lamine Yamal, describing him as one of the brightest young stars in modern football. Rashford believes that only one other player matches Yamal’s level at just 16-17 years old.

Before joining Barcelona on loan, Rashford had been following Yamal’s progress for quite some time and has consistently praised the youngster. He once expressed his desire to play alongside the Spanish international. In an interview with xBuyer, Rashford stated:

“It’s hard to put into words what he’s doing, because at 16-17, it’s rare to see anyone play football like that. I don’t think we’ve ever witnessed anything quite like this before.”

Rashford went further, sharing his thoughts on the Ballon d'Or race, where Yamal is already being mentioned as a potential candidate despite his young age. Speaking to SPORT, the English star asserted:

“Yes, absolutely. If he doesn’t win it this year, he will surely win it in the future. Dembélé, Raphinha, all of them deserve it. It’s tough to pick just one, but they have all matured and had an excellent season. Yamal is still very young, but sooner or later he’ll get it.”

Having played for both Manchester United and now Barcelona, Rashford understands the weight of expectations placed on young talents. Nevertheless, he doesn’t hesitate to compare Yamal to one of his childhood idols, Ronaldo Nazario, famously known as ‘The Phenomenon’. Rashford shared:

“That’s right, he’s the most talented player I’ve ever played with at this age. I’ve rarely played with or seen anyone who impacts the game as strongly as he does. But if I had to choose, perhaps only Ronaldo Nazario, ‘The Phenomenon’, has had a similar influence. Having such a big impact on the pitch at such a young age, and maintaining it consistently, is truly remarkable. He has a long career ahead, and I hope he keeps up his form and goes even further.”

This comparison becomes even more meaningful when looking back at both their journeys. Yamal just turned 18 on July 13, but he debuted for Barca at only 15. Meanwhile, at 18, Ronaldo Nazario was still playing for PSV in the Netherlands, where he scored 52 goals in 57 matches before moving to Barcelona at 19. If Barca keeps up their success, Yamal could have three La Liga titles by the time he’s 19—something Ronaldo hadn’t achieved at that age.

Of course, placing Yamal alongside Ronaldo Nazario may seem premature to some. But football careers are built on moments of brilliance and long-term consistency. Rashford is convinced Yamal possesses both qualities. And with an experienced star who has competed in both the Premier League and Champions League making this judgment, fans have good reason to believe Yamal could become a global football icon in the next 10-20 years.