Steven Gerrard compares Lamine Yamal to Ronaldo, Messi: ‘More advanced than them at that age’

Steven Gerrard compares Lamine Yamal to Ronaldo, Messi: ‘More advanced than them at that age’ Despite the shock of once again missing out on the Ballon d’Or this year, Lamine Yamal has not lost his motivation and continues to perform brilliantly for Barcelona. The forward has emerged as the best creators in Europe , and has been central to Barça’s superb start to the season. In light of Yamal’s performances, English football legend Steven Gerrard has compared the Spanish international to the legendary duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Gerrard compares Lamine with Ronaldo, Messi Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Gerrard believes Yamal has surpassed Messi and Ronaldo at his age. Yamal has continued his superb form for Barcelona this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “I think he is more advanced than Cristiano Ronaldo at 19. I played Messi when I was young and also against Ronaldo. I think Lamine is more advanced than they were at that age,” he said (h/t SPORT ). Although Gerrard doesn’t see Yamal at the same level as the peak of both Messi and Ronaldo, he believes the Barcelona star has the potential to do so. The Liverpool legend even claimed that Yamal has a higher ceiling than both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, the current generation stars. “He’s the player I’ve seen live that can potentially reach the level of those two, if he keeps evolving. Mbappe and Haaland are there in their best years, but if we talk about young people, I think Lamine is a little bit above the rest ,” he said. Gerrard on Yamal’s road ahead Steven Gerrard also opened up about the hug between him and Yamal during the Aston Villa game, adding, “ It was a nice hug, a really nice hug .” He further pointed out that maintaining a high level consistently over the years could be the real challenge for Yamal. Gerrard believes Yamal can reach the level of Messi and Ronaldo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Keeping that he mind, the Englishman pointed out how it will be important for him to have the right kind of environment at Barcelona. “The biggest challenge for him and for the people around him in Barcelona, his coaches and those who take care of him, is how to keep him hungry. “ How to keep you wanting to win things with your team and also individual prizes. As for talent and potential, it’s a scary thing. He’s doing things on a football field that he’s never seen a 19-year-old do ,” he said. Gerrard also offered his thoughts about Yamal’s future, claiming that he does not see any reason for the winger to leave Barcelona anytime soon. “Barcelona competes for La Liga and the Champions League each season, you will play against 100,000 people every week and you will start with the national team. I mean… why the hell would you ever have to leave?” he said. Finally, the Liverpool legend admitted he already knew Yamal during the early days of the Spaniard’s career. “I used to face Lamine Yamal with my under-18 and under-19 teams, so he knows me. He played against my teams and he and Curtis Jones were always the best players on the pitch ,” he concluded.