‘Pretty scary’ – Declan Rice explains what shocked him about Lamine Yamal
France players may have failed to acknowledge the talent of Lamine Yamal but England stars, including Declan Rice, aren’t making the same mistake.
French midfielder Adrien Rabiot saw comments about the 16-year-old Spain wonderkid come back to bite him.
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Yamal left Rabiot regretting his choice of words after their semi-finalCredit: GettyWhilst stating he was impressed by Yamal, Rabiot added: “He will have to do much more than what he has done so far.”
The comment clearly inspired the teen talent who levelled the scores for Spain in their semi-final with a glorious long-range curler, with the Frenchman the man who couldn’t close him down – and later aimed a dig at him.
Spain’s 2-1 win now sees them face England in Berlin – live on talkSPORT.
But Arsenal superstar Rice has insisted he won’t make the same mistake as Rabiot.
read more on Lamine YamalAnd he revealed one fact about the teenager away from the pitch that left him stunned.
“As soon as we won the game the other day I saw a stat that he was 12 when COVID hit,” laughed Rice.
“That was pretty scary that he was 12 when COVID was around.
Quickly Rice got serious, though, adding: “It shows how good he is.
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Rice was stunned by Yamal’s ageCredit: Getty”He’s 16 and look, I don’t know why the French players would talk a player down like that because what he has done at Barcelona, as a 16-year-old, you have to actually just applaud it.
“Me as a football fan, as well as a player, you have to respect it.
Most read in Euro 2024
Watch as Lamine Yamal’s father celebrates his son score for Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals against France at just 16 years old
“Sometimes you have to say, at 16, wow. that shows a lot of guts, to play for Barcelona, one, but also to do what he’s doing at that age, it’s really, really special.”
Yamal has been the breakout star of Euro 2024 and could be in line to win Player of the Tournament – even if Spain lose the final.
Read More on talkSPORT
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Yamal has a big career ahead of himCredit: GettyStories of his youth, including a photoshoot with Lionel Messi as a baby, have gone viral.
And his down to Earth nature has seen him earn adoration across the continent with Barcelona potentially having the heir to Messi already on their books.
