Sport
Malouda Says It’s Too Soon to Compare Yamal to Messi or Ronaldo
Former French international Florent Malouda has weighed in on the growing comparisons between Lamine Yamal and football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, urging fans and pundits to slow down.
Speaking to Racing Tipster, the ex-Chelsea winger said it’s far too soon to place such pressure on the 17-year-old Barcelona sensation. He believes Yamal should be allowed to grow at his own pace without being boxed into the shadows of two of the game’s greatest players.
“That kind of talk is too much right now,” Malouda said. “It can take away from his own identity. Yes, he might be inspired by Ronaldo or Messi, but he clearly has his own style.”
Malouda praised Yamal’s maturity and achievements at such a young age, noting that even Messi and Ronaldo hadn’t reached similar heights at that age. But he emphasized that long-term success is what will truly define Yamal’s career.
“It’s about consistency and growth,” he added. “We can only start comparing him to Messi or Ronaldo if he keeps improving and sets high goals for himself. He has the talent, but he needs time and focus.” Yamal played a crucial role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph and was key in Barcelona’s run to the Champions League semifinal, where they were eventually knocked out by Inter Milan.
Footballer Lamine Yamal speaks on the Ballon d’Or award and shares how he will still be happy if his teammate, Pau Cubarsí, gets the award.
“Last year, for me, Cubarsí was the best young player in the world. Either the Kopa award or the Ballon d’Or should go to him. There’s no difference between us.
“When I won it, I told him that he would be next. If he doesn’t win it for whatever reason, I will give it to him.”
Popular footballer Cristiano Ronaldo speaks on retirement and shares how he actually thought of retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup.
“I thought about retiring from international football after the World Cup, but I spoke to the president, coach, and I am still here. I am an asset, I can help.”
He adds, “The young kids love me because they see me as an example, and that, for me, is the most important thing. I will continue to do that even when I retire after 10 years.”
Footballer Kylian Mbappé shares that he actually came close to signing with Liverpool.
“I was close to Liverpool. My mum was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp, and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there,” Mbappé told The Athletic.
“I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn’t want to leave my country before I was someone. But yes, my mum was always saying, ‘Liverpool — you’re going to be there, playing at Anfield, it’s going to be insane for you.’ I was like, ‘OK!’
“All the time we were talking. ‘What do you think, Mum?’ She’d say, ‘For me, you have to go to Liverpool.’ I said, ‘OK, OK, OK!’ because Jurgen Klopp was an amazing manager. I met him and had a wonderful relationship with him. I had big respect for him.”
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