Messi Names Top 5 Players Kids Copy – Ronaldo Who?

Lionel Messi snubs Cristiano Ronaldo in a way fans didn’t see coming.

In a recent chat with Simplemente Fútbol, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked which players kids imitate most when they hit the pitch these days. And despite their decades-long rivalry, Messi left both himself and Ronaldo off the list completely. Instead, he shouted out five stars from a new wave of talent – and yes, Cristiano was nowhere to be found.

“Kids watch and imitate everything,” Messi said. “They know everyone and follow everyone.” When pressed, he named Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, and the teenage phenom Lamine Yamal. That’s five massive names – but the snub still stings for Ronaldo loyalists.

Of all the names Messi dropped, Lamine Yamal stood out most. The Barcelona youngster is only 17, but he’s already lighting up European football. Messi had nothing but praise for the teenager who helped Spain win Euro 2024 and is currently pushing Barcelona toward a potential treble. “It’s impressive what Lamine Yamal is doing and has already achieved,” Messi said. “He’s just 17, in the middle of a growth process, and will keep on growing and contributing, just as I did.”

And clearly, Yamal is leaving his mark. Over the weekend, he played a major role in Barcelona’s wild 4-3 comeback win against Celta Vigo, keeping them comfortably on top of La Liga. His veteran teammate Robert Lewandowski also chimed in with some high praise, saying, “He came to train with us when he was 15… I asked him his age and replied that it was impossible.”

This isn’t just Messi hyping up a club protégé. His words echo what many in the football world are already seeing: a generational shift. And in that new wave, Messi sees other names standing in the spotlight where Ronaldo once reigned.

What do you think – was Messi’s snub a subtle dig or just a passing of the torch?

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Alex Carter

Sports Correspondent at T.H.E - Music Essentials

Alex Carter is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade of covering international and domestic sports events. From the roar of football stadiums to the high-octane energy of F1 tracks, Alex delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive interviews with sports icons. His passion for sports extends to coaching local youth teams on weekends.

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