Rashford says Yamal as good as Ronaldo at 18
Marcus Rashford has been blown away by Lamine Yamal's quality, with the England forward comparing the Barcelona star to Ronaldo Nazario.
Lamine Yamal is the "most talented player for his age" Marcus Rashford has ever seen.
Barcelona superstar Yamal only turned 18 last month, but already looks set to be a dominant force in world football for years to come.
The winger is among the favourites to win this year's Ballon d'Or, having helped propel Barca to a domestic treble last season, while Hansi Flick's team also reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Rashford, who made his competitive debut for Barca in that match, becoming the first English player to feature for the Blaugrana since Gary Lineker, has been stunned by Yamal's quality, and compared the teenager to Brazil great Ronaldo Nazario
"He's the most talented player I've ever played with for his age," Rashford said. "I haven't played with, or seen, anyone with the impact he has on the game. Maybe Ronaldo Nazario.
"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.
"He's a top talent, a top player. The most surprising thing is how mature he is for his age, how he thinks and plays. He's way beyond his years. It's exciting to play with him, and with others too."
Yamal has already put up exceptional numbers comparable with Barca's greatest ever player, Lionel Messi.
In his first 97 matches in the Champions League and LaLiga combined, Yamal has recorded 44 goal involvements (20 goals, 24 assists). Across Messi's first 97 games in those competitions combined, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 40 goals and provided 12 assists.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, plundered 47 goals in 49 games in his sole season at Barca in 1996-1997.
His performances for Barca saw Ronaldo win the Ballon d'Or in 1997, and he went on to claim the award again five years later.
Rashford has no doubt that Yamal, who is going up against Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Barca club-mate Raphinha, will win the prize at some stage in his career.
"Yes [he can win the Ballon d'Or], definitely," Rashford said. "If he doesn't win it this year, he will win it in the future.
"Dembele, 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."
