Declan Rice has disagreed with claims that Lamine Yamal is “overhyped” as England and Spain prepare for the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday.
The Barcelona sensation has lit up the tournament in Germany, laying three assists before netting his first international goal in the semi-final victory over France.
Yamal became the youngest-ever scorer in an Euro or World Cup semi-final and Rice believes what the teenager has achieved in such a short space of time deserves all the plaudits.
“Not at all [overhyped]. As soon as we won the game the other day I saw a stat that he was 12 when covid hit, so that was pretty scary that he was 12 when Covid was around, it shows how good he is, he is 16, 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 applaud it,” Rice said ahead of the final.
“Me as a football fan, and as a player, you have to respect it and sometimes you have to say 16 wow, that takes a lot of guts to play for Barcelona, and to do what he is doing at that age, it is really, really special.”
Youngest scorer in EURO history 🤩
Happy birthday, Lamine Yamal 🎂#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/dwnBxD9Q11
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 13, 2024
Yamal turned 17 on Saturday, and speaking on him, England captain Harry Kane said: “He’s been a fantastic player. I mean at 17 to do what he’s doing on this big stage is obviously a great achievement for him and yeah, you can see he’s playing with no fear and just playing with freedom and enjoying the big occasion.
“So we know he’s s definite threat for tomorrow night, he’ll be you know, one of their main players and main threats going forward. So yeah, we have to be ready for that but all I can say is well done to him for his short career so far but obviously a very good one.”
Yamal played 50 times in all competitions for Barcelona last season, scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists as the Blaugrana finished second in the La Liga standings behind Real Madrid.
