In a thrilling UEFA Champions League 2025 semi-final first leg, Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal delivered a performance for the ages against Inter Milan, sparking a comeback in a 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Yamal’s dazzling goal and relentless flair earned widespread praise from current and former football stars, cementing his status as a generational talent. Here’s a roundup of reactions from football legends to Yamal’s unforgettable night.
Football legends heap praise on Yamal
Owen Hargreaves: “He Put on a Clinic”
Former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves was left speechless by Yamal’s first-half masterclass. “Yamal is so special. It’s remarkable to watch him. He makes everything look easy,” Hargreaves said on TNT Sports. “Inter are defensively one of the best. The only way they could stop him was with three or four defenders. He put on a clinic in that first half.”
Rio Ferdinand: “On Another Level”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand took to social media to laud Yamal’s brilliance. “As a pure football talent, I’m going as far as to say I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing in the top five leagues in world football. Truly unbelievable,” Ferdinand wrote, highlighting Yamal’s ability to dominate against a formidable Inter defense.
Ally McCoist: “Like He’s Been Playing for 20 Years”
Scottish football icon Ally McCoist, commentating for TNT Sports, marveled at Yamal’s maturity. “It’s as if he’s been playing for 15-20 years,” McCoist said alongside Ferdinand. The duo was stunned by Yamal’s composure, with McCoist noting how the teenager’s performance elevated the entire match.
Simone Inzaghi: “A Once-in-50-Years Talent”
Inter Milan’s manager Simone Inzaghi, despite his team’s defensive struggles, couldn’t help but praise Yamal. “He’s a once-in-50-years phenomenon,” Inzaghi said in the post-match press conference. “We had to put three players on him and keep an eye on him for the full 90 minutes. He impressed me live like never before.”
