SPAIN’S wonderkid Lamine Yamal has had the last laugh in his rivalry with French star Adrien Rabiot.
The 16-year-old took his country to the Euro 2024 final with a stunning goal in the 2-1 win over Les Bleus.
7
7
7
Yamal brilliantly cut in from the right when a deceived 29-year-old Rabiot failed to close down the Barcelona playmaker, allowing him to deflect a brilliant shot from distance into the top corner.
It was the ultimate revenge against the French midfielder after he bizarrely started a war of words with the teenager during his pre-match press conference.
Before the game, Rabiot said: “It’s always difficult to get to a semi-final in a tournament like this – but it will be up to us to push.” [Yamal] above all.
“Not letting him feel comfortable and showing him that to play in a Euro final he will have to do much more than he has done so far.”
Yamal initially responded with a cryptic post on social media, which read: “Move in silence, only speak when it is time to say checkmate.”
And it’s fair to say he lived up to his words, just as Yamal spoke on the pitch.
His goal was sensational and he was a constant threat on the right wing as France struggled to put a glove on Spain.
But Yamal was not done resolving his quarrel with Rabiot and mocked him one last time.
7
As Spain celebrated after the final whistle, the young star turned to the camera and shouted: “Speak now.”
Yamal was then asked about his post-game comments, responding: “Well, the person I’m talking about will know who that person is.
“I’m very happy to reach the final and very happy for my team.”
Gary Lineker beat Rabiot in the Rest is Football Podcastsaying: It was wrong and bad.
Micah Richards called the Juventus player “embarrassing” and said: “He shouldn’t have started at all, as Eduardo Camavinga should have started before him. He has much better possession of the ball and has much more energy.”
Yamal turns 17 on the eve of the final – but he has already made Euro history by becoming the youngest player ever to score at the tournament.
It was a mix of experience and youth on Spain’s flank last night, with 38-year-old Jesus Navas filling in at right-back.
Yamal was just two years old when the veteran made his international debut in 2009.
And his father is three years younger than Navas.
Age did not impede Yamal’s path through the iconic La Masia academy to Barcelona’s first team.
But that prevents him from fully relaxing on the sidelines in Germany, as he brought his homework to the tournament.
Yamal revealed: “I take classes online and I’m doing well, I hope the teacher doesn’t fail me.”
7
7
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
