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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rabiot criticised Yamal before semi-final</li><li>Spain star scored in win</li><li>Rice has defended Barcelona prospect</li></ul>

Declan Rice calls out Adrien Rabiot and France players for their comments about Lamine Yamal as England midfielder prepares to face Spain and Barcelona star in Euro 2024 final

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The England midfielder was on media duties ahead of the Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday and criticised the French squad for talking down La Roja's youngest star. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-issued-challenge-by-france-midfielder-adrien-rabiot-ahead-of-euro-2024-semi-final-spain/blt1566dd33ca783932" target="_blank">Adrien Rabiot said the Barcelona winger would have to do more</a> if his side were to beat Les Bleus, but his comments <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lamine-yamal-spain-teenager-european-championship-scoring-record-world-class-france-euro-2024-semi-final/blt786c36f1a28961f6#cs45fa21d9078f0bd5" target="_blank">backfired massively</a>. Rice came to Yamal's defence ahead of the final and raved about just how good the winger is.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">"It's pretty scary that he was 12 when COVID was around." 😳 Declan Rice has nothing but praise for the quality of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/AkTrTLZqJC">pic.twitter.com/AkTrTLZqJC</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1812147239759802433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking in his press conference, Rice said: "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."

WHAT RICE SAID

Rice is taking a different approach to discussing his opponents in the final and towing the more respectful line. It may come back to haunt him regardless, as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-spain-barcelona-reveals-special-request-real-madrid-kylian-mbappe-euro-2024/blteed4e2d0f8a2b97c" target="_blank">Yamal has been a spectacular watch</a> this summer and looks like he can produce a moment of magic at any point.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rice and England will be looking to end 58 years of hurt when they face Spain in Berlin on Sunday. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/england-vs-spain-head-to-head-record/blte975e89206d79143" target="_blank">Three Lions have beaten their opponents 14 times in 27 meetings</a> over the years, with Luis de la Fuente's side arriving with 10 victories under their belt.

WHAT NEXT FOR RICE AND YAMAL?

Declan Rice calls out Adrien Rabiot and France players for their comments about Lamine Yamal as England midfielder prepares to face Spain and Barcelona star in Euro 2024 final | Goal.com

Declan Rice has called out Adrien Rabiot and other France players for their harsh comments about Spain star Lamine Yamal.