‘Lamine Yamal is already BETTER than Messi and Ronaldo’

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 6 May 2025 03:34 CDT
4 min read

Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo — © IMAGO

Alessandro Bastoni says that Lamine Yamal is probably the best player he has ever faced in his career - and the Inter defender has played against both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Yamal is the most talked-about footballer on the planet right now after his incredible performance against Inter Milan last week.

Current ETV

Lamine Yamal

M, AM (R)

Barcelona

Lamine Yamal

M, AM (R)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€155.9M - €190.5M

The 17-year-old Barcelona ace scored one brilliant goal, hit the bar twice and led the Inter defence a merry dance during the 3-3 thriller in the first leg of their Champions League semi final.

One of the victims of Yamal’s brilliance that night was Inter’s left sided centre back Bastoni.

Ahead of the return leg at San Siro on Tuesday, Bastoni hailed Yamal as probably the toughest opponent of his career.

And Bastoni has faced both Ronaldo during the Portugal legend’s time at Juventus, as well as well as Messi during an Italy vs Argentina clash.

What did Bastoni say?

“I think so. I had faced him at the Euros against Spain, and he wasn’t at this level yet. I was impressed by how much he has improved,” the Italian replied.

“I’ve played against many top players, and in terms of age and ability to create something, he’s one of the best, if not the very best.”

At the age of just 17, Yamal has already achieved greatness in the game.

He already has over 100 appearances for Barcelona, making more than 50 goal contributions for a Blaugrana side who could win the treble this season.

And for Spain, Yamal played a key role for his nation winning Euro 2024 despite being only 16 when the competition kicked off last June.

Yamal scored a brilliant goal in the semi-final win over France and delivered the most assists in the tournament with four.

He is already considered the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or later this year, although the return leg against Bastoni’s Inter could also play a key role in that.

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