Lamine Yamal for Ballon d'Or? Rio Ferdinand raves over Barcelona teenager after starring role in thrilling Champions League draw with Inter Milan

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Barcelona's 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal after his stunning performance in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan on Wednesday night. The teenager scored Barca's first goal of the evening and was a persistent thorn in the side of both Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni, and Ferdinand has suggested Yamal should be right in contention for the Ballon d'Or prize if the La Liga leaders win the competition.

Yamal burst onto the scene last season, quickly becoming a key player for Barcelona and Spain and breaking numerous records. His dribbling ability, vision and impact on games have drawn comparisons to a young Lionel Messi. The Ballon d'Or conversation is intensifying, with the likes of Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah among those harbouring hopes of winning the gold.

Speaking on Rio Reacts, Ferdinand said: "I was sitting there watching him and every time he got the ball and every time he engaged the defender, he always had two against him normally. I was just more impressed with the amount of times that he changed the angle.

"If Barcelona win the Champions League…what if [Yamal]'s the difference in Milan in the second leg? What if he's the difference in the final? Can we make a legitimate case now that he wins the Ballon d'Or?

"I think at the moment I don't know if there's anyone more exciting to go into a stadium and watch right now.

"The biggest compliment you can pay him as well is that when you watch Barcelona play, whether it's [Frenkie] de Jong or Pedri in possession in central midfield, their first look is to the right to see whether they can get the ball to him."

Yamal will be crucial to Barcelona's chances in the second leg of their semi-final against Inter Milan and fans will be hoping he continues his mesmerising form. A strong performance in the return fixture, coupled with a significant contribution in a potential final, would undoubtedly boost his Ballon d'Or credentials significantly.