Ronaldinho, one of the most iconic figures in FC Barcelona’s history, has publicly named Lamine Yamal as the natural heir to his legacy—and that of Lionel Messi. In a recent interview with Marca, the Brazilian star made it clear he sees the young Barça forward as the club’s next big thing: “Messi and I already made history—now it’s Lamine Yamal’s turn,” he said confidently.

For the former player, the academy product’s talent is undeniable. At just 17, the youngster has already shown he’s got what it takes to compete with the best. “It’s amazing what he’s doing at such a young age, with so much talent. I love watching players like him—they’re good for the game,” added Ronaldinho, clearly excited about the present and future of the Barça winger.

No need for comparisons

While many keep comparing him to Messi or even Ronaldinho himself, the Brazilian prefers to steer clear of those kinds of parallels. “Every player has their own style. What matters is that Lamine Yamal brings joy to the fans, just like I did in my time—or Messi after me,” he said, emphasizing that the real value in the youngster lies in his authenticity and ability to thrill supporters.

Ronaldinho even went a step further, predicting a brilliant future for the Spanish international and placing him among the natural contenders for the Ballon d’Or. “Lamine Yamal has what it takes to win it. There are a lot of great players out there, but he’s part of that elite. It’s crazy because he’s so young, but I think he could win it not just once—several times,” he said.

With those words, the Brazilian legend isn’t just passing the torch to Lamine, he’s also fueling Barça fans’ hopes for a new golden era led by the young star from Mataró. As far as Ronaldinho is concerned, Barcelona is in good hands—and the future is already here.