Barcelona great Ronaldinho believes Lamine Yamal can emulate Lionel Messi by winning the Ballon d’Or several times in his career.
The Blaugrana’s teenage sensation enjoyed a remarkable 2024-25 season, his 18 goals and 21 assists in all competitions helping Barca to a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double, with only an extra-time defeat to Inter at San Siro preventing Hansi Flick’s men from reaching the Champions League final.
Yamal, whose contract expires at the end of next season, is in talks over what will likely be an extremely lucrative new deal to stay with Barca long term.
And Ronaldinho sees Yamal, who helped Spain to Euro 2024 glory last year, as a player who can reach the kind of levels that have seen Messi win the Ballon d’Or eight times in his glittering career.
Ronaldinho, a winner of the most prestigious individual prize in world football in 2005, told Marca: “Messi and I have already made history, now it’s Lamine Yamal’s turn.
“What he’s shown so far, at such a young age and with so much talent, is extraordinary. I like watching players like him; they’re good for football. I hope he can have a career like ours.
“I’ve never liked those kinds of comparisons because every footballer has his own unique style of play. The important thing is that Lamine Yamal brings joy to the people, like I did in my time, or like Messi did later.
“I hope he continues the potential he’s shown to date. Lamine Yamal is on the level of winning the Ballon d’Or. There are other great players in the world, but he’s among them.
“It’s surprising because he’s so young, but he can make history by winning it not just once, but several times.”
