Gerrard Places Yamal Ahead of Messi and Ronaldo at 19

Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool captain, has said Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is more developed at 19 than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were at that age. Gerrard faced both players early in their careers and commended the Spain teenager after strong displays for his club and national team. Gerrard stated: "Lamine Yamal is more advanced at 19 than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were at the age of 19. If you look at all three players at the age of 19, Lamine Yamal is the most advanced player." At 19, Yamal has regularly played at the elite level and has come close to major individual awards. In 2025, he was second in Ballon d'Or voting to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, and this year he again placed near the top behind Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane.