Patrice Evra has claimed he would have kept Lamine Yamal quiet had the pair faced each other during his prime, insisting his battles with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are proof of that. The Frenchman went up against elite players including Carlos Tevez, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard during his 20‑year career.
Yamal on the other hand, has established himself as one of the world’s most valuable young players at just 18. Despite his rapid ascent, the former Manchester United defender expressed full confidence in his own defensive ability, insisting he would have comfortably contained the young Spaniard during his peak years.
Evra is widely regarded as one of the greatest left‑backs of his generation. He remains renowned for his defensive resilience and natural leadership – captaining both United and the France national team.
Having followed Yamal’s rise and with the teenager now set to lead Spain at the World Cup, Evra was asked for his view on the young winger.
Speaking to ESPN (via Mundo Deportivo), Evra claimed that he could have contained Yamal during his playing days.
“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.”
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Evra faced Barcelona in three Champions League finals – losing all three, twice with United and once with Juventus. Messi proved decisive on each occasion, with the Frenchman unable to contain him.
The 45-year-old spent eight years at Old Trafford – six of those alongside Ronaldo. In total, he spent eight‑and‑a‑half years at the club, making 379 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 30 assists.
He is viewed as a lively character by supporters and former teammates, but was all business on the pitch. During his time at United, Evra won 14 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Yamal, who is set to play in his first World Cup for Spain, is recovering from a hamstring injury and is likely to miss this month’s group matches. Luis de la Fuente’s side will play Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
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