Cristiano Ronaldo backs Barcelona gem to become ‘one of the best players of this new generation’ | OneFootball

The past 12-15 months have seen Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal enjoy a meteoric rise in the world of football.

Just 17 years old, the La Masia sensation is regarded as one of the best young wingers in the game, with teammates, rivals, former players, and pundits all in awe of the player’s ability and potential.

Yamal’s explosion seems to have caught the attention of one of the greatest ever in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano showers praise on Lamine Yamal

Earlier this month, during an interview, the Real Madrid legend named the Barcelona sensation as a future Ballon d’Or winner.

Now, further praising the 17-year-old Yamal, CR7 has gone on to state that the Barcelona prodigy has what it takes to become one of the best players of the new generation.

“I see great potential and great talent. He needs a bit of luck because he is still very young. I hope he doesn’t have any problems,” he said during an interaction with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel.

“I believe Lamine Yamal will be one of the best players of this new generation,” Ronaldo continued.

The next biggest superstar of football? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

When asked about how the Barcelona sensation is able to do some things that he and his greatest rival Lionel Messi were unable to do – at his age neither of them had played a single minute of senior football – Ronaldo said:

“Yes. The national team helped him a lot because he was very good. I think he has great potential… But let’s see, if he has his way, that’s what will happen. But I believe he will achieve it.”

Such high praise coming from one of the best-ever to play the game goes on to indicate the quality and the unlimited potential that Yamal possesses.

Already the favourite to win the Golden Boy award and the Kopa Trophy this year, it would not come as a surprise to see the teenage jewel secure a high finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings as well.