While football takes a short summer break, some names continue to spark debate in the media. One of them is Lamine Yamal, the young FC Barcelona talent whose breakthrough into the elite has left experts, fans, and even former players in awe. The latest to join his list of admirers is Pedro Rodríguez, former Barça winger and World Cup champion with Spain, who didn't hesitate to place the 17-year-old ahead of Vinícius Júnior, the Real Madrid star.

Speaking from his hometown of Tenerife, where he runs a football camp through his foundation, Pedro gave an interview to El País, highlighting the many qualities of the Catalan prodigy. “He has excellent vision and decision-making in passing. From there, he has everything: the ability to break lines, play inside, and deliver accurate assists. He can play on either wing or in the middle. He always makes the right pass,” the Canary Islander said with admiration.

Zidane and Inzaghi Also Praise Yamal

Pedro isn’t the only one impressed by Lamine Yamal’s level. At an Adidas event, Zinédine Zidane, the French football legend and former Real Madrid coach, praised his performance in the second half of the Champions League semifinal against Inter. “I’ve never seen anything like that. It was incredible. He controls the game as if he's been doing it for years. It was a show that everyone enjoyed,” said Zidane, clearly impressed.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi declared after the match in Montjuïc, “Lamine is a player that comes around once every 50 years.” Even seasoned goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny publicly admitted how difficult it is to face him on a daily basis.

At such a young age, Yamal is already sparking a serious question in football circles: are we witnessing a generational talent who surpasses what Vinícius brings? While some are still debating, the Barça youngster continues to write his story game by game, challenging those who think that at 17, you should only be focused on exams and not embarrassing elite defenders.

Everything suggests that this comparison between Yamal and Vinícius is only just beginning… and the future will have the final say.