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Adrien Rabiot’s open challenge to Lamine Yamal, asking the Barcelona star to raise his level against France, may well go down as one of the most significant moments of Euro 2024.
The 16-year-old’s clinical goal against Les Bleus in the semifinal was not only one of the tournament’s best but also unfolded right in front of Rabiot.
Yamal’s celebration after the goal and post-match comments made it clear that he had taken the French midfielder’s words seriously.
Yet, such is his greatness that he only used it to enhance his performance, and he is now one of the candidates to take home the Player of the Tournament award.
Speaking to the media ahead of England’s clash against Spain in the Euro final tomorrow, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice praised Yamal and admitted he did not understand why members of the French camp criticized such a young player.
“I don’t know why the French team would speak ill of a player like that because what he’s done at Barça at 16 is something you must applaud,” Rice said via the Mirror.
Lamine Yamal has made an impression on Declan Rice. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
“As a player and fan, I respect it a lot. Sometimes you have to say wow, 16 years, that’s a lot of guts. To play for Barça at that age is something special,” he added.
Further putting into perspective how young Yamal is, Rice said, “It’s pretty scary that Lamine was 12 when COVID was around.”
The English star then went on to reveal where he was at the tender age of 16, lauding Yamal for taking football by storm at such a young age.
“I was trying to get a scholarship when I was 16, and here, you’ve got Yamal putting one in the top bins against France.”
“At 16, what he is doing is on another level, and there’s no way I was ready at that age,” he concluded.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/on-another-level-arsenal-midfielder-in-awe-of-barcelona-starlet/
Author : Adithya Eshwarla
Publish date : 2024-07-13 16:51:01
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