Maresca sees Estevão and Lamine Yamal as the touted heirs to Messi and Ronaldo
After Chelsea’s Champions League win, Enzo Maresca singled out two young prodigies he thinks are destined to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Italian coach, however, is calling for patience, noting that both players are only 18 years old.
Lamine Yamal, attaquant du Barça@google
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has identified two young prodigies he believes could represent the next generation after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the duo that has defined two decades of world football. Speaking to BeIN Sports after the Blues’ Champions League win over FC Barcelona on Tuesday, the Italian coach mentioned Estevão and Lamine Yamal, two precocious talents already in the spotlight.
“As Raphinha said, in the next ten or fifteen years, Estevão and Lamine Yamal could become the new Messi and Ronaldo”, Maresca insisted. The London coach nevertheless urges caution: “They are only 18. The main thing for them is to keep working, to improve every day and to enjoy the moment.” Messi and Ronaldo, thirteen Ballon d’Ors between them, remain the absolute references. For Maresca, the new generation could well follow in their footsteps — but the road is still long.