Manchester United legend backs Barcelona sensation for Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand has joined the growing list of football legends praising Lamine Yamal following his sensational display against Inter Milan, where the Barcelona winger scored a stunning goal and hit the woodwork twice.

The former England centre-back and Champions League winner with Manchester United in 2008 did not hold back in his admiration.

“He is at a much higher level than any other player in the top five leagues,” Ferdinand wrote on social media platform X, reacting to Yamal’s performance.

Later, in a more composed setting, Ferdinand explained his viewpoint, hailing the Barcelona wonderkid and backing him for the Ballon d’Or.

“I think right now, I do not know if there is a more exciting player to go and watch live in a stadium. Beyond the statistics, it is about what you see with your eyes – the feeling a footballer gives and the impact they can have in a stadium,” said Ferdinand.

When it was put to him that having won the Euros last summer, Lamine had now scored in the Round of 16, QF, and SF of the Champions League, Ferdinand made it clear as to what he thought of the youngster.

Looking directly into the camera, he repeated: “He must win the Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or.”

“There are other players who have scored more, but football is not just about numbers. It is about what you see, the sensation a player gives, and the impact they have in the stadium and at home – the way they keep people on their sofas or make them jump out of them.”

Ferdinand was not the only one to hail Lamine after his stellar display vs Inter Milan as Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland too expressed his admiration for the Barcelona teenager.

Meanwhile, former Premier League legends Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher were also effusive in praise of the 17-year-old La Masia sensation.