Rashford's confession about Lamine Yamal

Rashford praised Yamal as the most talented young player he's seen, comparing him favourably to Messi and predicting multiple Ballon d'Or awards.

In comments made to Manchester United supporters at Old Trafford before the Roma match and leaked on social media, injured Rashford praised Lamine Yamal effusively. Rashford said he told Yamal before leaving Barcelona that he had played with many talented players but "he is above all of them". He described never seeing a player of Yamal's age with such talent, calling him "the closest someone can be to Messi's level over the years".

Rashford expressed strong belief in Yamal's future, saying "if he wins seven Ballon d'Ors I won't be surprised", noting that at just 19 years old Yamal has already finished second, third and eighth in the award voting. He also paid tribute to Messi as "probably the complete genius we'll never see again in our lifetime", while backing Kane's Ballon d'Or win this year for his goal and assist tallies.

Rashford also explained his return to United after his loan at Barcelona, saying that after his Aston Villa spell he realised he couldn't keep playing against United every season. He told his agent to either take him abroad or not to another Premier League club, which led to his move back to Old Trafford.