England midfielder prepares to face Spain and Barcelona star in Euro 2024 final.
Rice defends Yamal ahead of Euro 2024 final.
Criticizes French squad for talking down La Roja’s youngest star.
Rice praises Yamal’s talent and achievements at Barcelona.
“As soon as we won the game the other day, I saw a stat that said he was 12 when COVID hit. That’s pretty scary! It shows how good he is. He’s 16, I don’t know why the French players would talk a player down like that.
“What he’s done at Barcelona as a 16-year-old, you have to applaud it. Me, as a football fan as well as a player, you have to respect it. Sometimes you have to say at 16, wow, it shows a lot of guts to play for Barcelona, but also to do what he’s doing at his age, it’s really special.”
Rice said
Declan Rice takes respectful approach to discussing opponents.
England looking to end 58 years of hurt against Spain in the final.