I played with Cristiano Ronaldo and this is how Lamine Yamal is similar at same age
John O’Shea knows a thing or two about generational talents. The former Manchester United star spent six years lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and watched first hand as the Portuguese star went from teenage prospect to global superstar. GettyO’Shea spent 12 years in United’s first team where he played alongside Ronaldo[/caption] Ronaldo linked up at the Theatre of Dreams in 2003 after starring in a friendly against UnitedGetty It was the Irishman who played an indirect, but key role in Ronaldo’s eventual move to Old Trafford in 2003. United’s pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon saw an 18-year-old Ronaldo announce himself to the world at the expense of O’Shea, who was turned inside out by the winger. Within a week, Ronaldo was presented as a Manchester United player, and the rest, as they say, is history. But now, another exciting talent has caught the eye and like many football fans, O’Shea was left purring at what he saw from Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal in the 3-3 draw with Inter Milan. Lamal netted a wonder strike in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg in addition to some mesmerising footwork. And O’Shea was quick to point out the Spaniard’s similarities to Ronaldo and long-time rival Lionel Messi. “I don’t think I’d be able to play against Lamine Yamal even if I was 22, never mind 44,” O’Shea told talkSPORT. “When you look at the statistics of Lamine Yamal against Ronaldo and Messi, he’s ahead of those two guys at the minute which is quite scary to think about. “It’s a moment to enjoy a player like that and for younger players to be inspired by a kid like that at 17. “Being a leader like that at a club like Barcelona, it’s amazing to see.” GettyYamal was in superb form for Barcelona against Inter[/caption] His stats already exceed those of Ronaldo and Messi when they were the same ageRex O’Shea was particularly impressed by Yamal’s forward-thinking style as showcased against the Serie A giants. The winger gave the usually reliable Inter left-back Federico Di Marco a nightmare first half after which Nerrazzuri boss Simone Inzaghi brought an end to the torture by substituting the star 11 minutes after the interval. O’Shea added: “That’s what every fan coming to the stadium wants to see. “Players attacking, being positive and having that mindset.” The former Manchester United star also has one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg clash at Athletic Bilbao. United’s only hope of silverware and European football next season comes in winning the competition. Ronaldo vs Messi vs Yamal at 17... Cristiano Ronaldo Appearances: 19 Goals: 5 Assists: 4 Lionel Messi Appearances: 9 Goals: 1 Assists: 0 Lamine Yamal Appearances: 100 Goals: 22 Assists: 33 And victory over the LaLiga side, who will host the final if they get past Ruben Amorim’s men, will see them battle against either Bodø/Glimt or Tottenham Hotspur. And after seeing Yamal’s impact on club football’s biggest stage, O’Shea is hoping that United winger Alejandro Garnacho can take some inspiration from the Barcelona star. He stated: “Garnacho has his ups and downs, but he’ll prove to be a quality player and he could be the match winner tonight.”
John O’Shea knows a thing or two about generational talents.
The former Manchester United star spent six years lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and watched first hand as the Portuguese star went from teenage prospect to global superstar.
It was the Irishman who played an indirect, but key role in Ronaldo’s eventual move to Old Trafford in 2003.
United’s pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon saw an 18-year-old Ronaldo announce himself to the world at the expense of O’Shea, who was turned inside out by the winger.
Within a week, Ronaldo was presented as a Manchester United player, and the rest, as they say, is history.
But now, another exciting talent has caught the eye and like many football fans, O’Shea was left purring at what he saw from Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal in the 3-3 draw with Inter Milan.
Lamal netted a wonder strike in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg in addition to some mesmerising footwork.
And O’Shea was quick to point out the Spaniard’s similarities to Ronaldo and long-time rival Lionel Messi.
“I don’t think I’d be able to play against Lamine Yamal even if I was 22, never mind 44,” O’Shea told talkSPORT.
“When you look at the statistics of Lamine Yamal against Ronaldo and Messi, he’s ahead of those two guys at the minute which is quite scary to think about.
“It’s a moment to enjoy a player like that and for younger players to be inspired by a kid like that at 17.
“Being a leader like that at a club like Barcelona, it’s amazing to see.”
O’Shea was particularly impressed by Yamal’s forward-thinking style as showcased against the Serie A giants.
The winger gave the usually reliable Inter left-back Federico Di Marco a nightmare first half after which Nerrazzuri boss Simone Inzaghi brought an end to the torture by substituting the star 11 minutes after the interval.
O’Shea added: “That’s what every fan coming to the stadium wants to see.
“Players attacking, being positive and having that mindset.”
The former Manchester United star also has one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg clash at Athletic Bilbao.
United’s only hope of silverware and European football next season comes in winning the competition.
Ronaldo vs Messi vs Yamal at 17...
Cristiano Ronaldo
Appearances: 19
Goals: 5
Assists: 4
Lionel Messi
Appearances: 9
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Lamine Yamal
Appearances: 100
Goals: 22
Assists: 33
And victory over the LaLiga side, who will host the final if they get past Ruben Amorim’s men, will see them battle against either Bodø/Glimt or Tottenham Hotspur.
And after seeing Yamal’s impact on club football’s biggest stage, O’Shea is hoping that United winger Alejandro Garnacho can take some inspiration from the Barcelona star.
He stated: “Garnacho has his ups and downs, but he’ll prove to be a quality player and he could be the match winner tonight.”
