Patrice Evra believes he would have been able to contain Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal during his prime, drawing comparisons with his battles against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Patrice Evra has insisted he would have neutralised Lamine Yamal had the pair gone head-to-head during his pomp, pointing to his duels with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as evidence. The Frenchman squared off against top-tier talent including Carlos Tevez, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard throughout his 20-year career.
Yamal, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the planet’s most highly-rated young talents at just 18. Despite his meteoric rise, the former Manchester United defender voiced complete belief in his own capabilities, maintaining he would have handled the young Spaniard with ease during his heyday.
Evra is commonly considered one of the finest left-backs of his era. He continues to be celebrated for his defensive solidity and innate authority – skippering both United and France at international level.
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Having monitored Yamal’s progression and with the teenager now poised to spearhead Spain at the World Cup, Evra was pressed for his assessment of the young attacker.
Speaking to ESPN (via Mundo Deportivo), Evra stated that he could have subdued Yamal during his playing career.
“I’m sorry Lamine, I love you very much, I like you a lot, you are a crack in one-vs-one situations, but in my prime I would have eaten you alive,” the Red Devils’ legend said.
“Ask Cristiano Ronaldo, ask Messi, ask other players when they faced me. I am not a good friend.”
Evra came up against Barcelona in three Champions League finals – suffering defeat in all three, twice with United and once with Juventus. Messi was the difference-maker on every occasion, with the Frenchman powerless to stop him.
The 45-year-old enjoyed eight years at Old Trafford – six of which were spent alongside Ronaldo. In total, he racked up eight-and-a-half years at the club, turning out 379 times, netting 10 goals and registering 30 assists.
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He is regarded as an animated figure by fans and ex-colleagues, but was entirely focused when it mattered on the pitch. Throughout his spell at United, Evra collected 14 trophies, including five Premier League crowns and the Champions League.
Yamal, who is poised to feature in his maiden World Cup for Spain, is currently rehabilitating from a hamstring problem and is expected to sit out this month’s group fixtures. Luis de la Fuente’s team will face Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
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