Rabiot aimed a dig at Yamal ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final clash between France and Spain.
Lamine Yamal made Adrien Rabiot eat his pre-match words during Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final win over France – and it appears he sent a clear message to the French midfielder at full-time.
The 16-year-old forward became the youngest scorer in European Championship history on Tuesday night after he equalised for Luis de la Fuente’s side with a spectacular effort from range.
It has been a memorable summer for Barcelona’s teenage sensation, who also smashed the record for the youngest player to have featured at a Euros after taking to the field against Croatia, aged 16 years and 338 days.
But ahead of Tuesday’s game at the Allianz Arena in Munich, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot was far-from-complimentary about his tournament.
“If Lamine Yamal wants to play in the Euro final with Spain, he will have to do much more against us than he has done so far,” Rabiot said in his pre-match press conference. “We will put pressure on him so that he is not comfortable.”
Lamal appeared to respond to Rabiot with a message of his own via Instagram. “Move in silence,” he wrote on his story. “Only speak when it is time to say checkmate.”
And hours later, the teenager let his feet do the talking as Spain booked their place in the Euro 2024 final with a 2-1 win over France.
In fact, shortly after the final whistle, the TV cameras rushed over to a delighted Yamal, who appeared to send another message to Rabiot as he celebrated the victory. “Speak now, speak now!” he beamed.
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to Lamal’s post-match actions.
One said: “Before Spain vs France, Rabiot said Lamine Yamal needed to doore than he’s done now. After beating France, he said: ‘speak now, speak now’. This is cold.”
Another commented: “This has been the tournament of wonderkids showing they’ve got balls of steel and I am absolute here for it.”
A third wrote: “Rabiot said a 16 year old needed to step up. And he did. He stepped up when his country needed him at 16 years old. 16 years old. Did we say he was 16? 16.”
A fourth added: “Lamal is my player of the tournament.”
Image credit: X/@FabrizioRomano
Ahead of their tournament opener, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente stressed that Yamal must be protected from criticism.
“In the case of young players, the psychological factor is more important than the tactical one,” he said.
“In the case of Lamine, he is a player who is touched by a magic wand, and we have to support him, because he will be praised and criticized fiercely.”
It’s fair to say the youngster has been a standout performer at Euro 2024, and former Spain international Fernando Llorente believes he could go on and outperform Lionel Messi, of all people.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he said: “Not even Messi was at this level at that age. Lamine Yamal does extraordinary things. He can’t be compared to anyone.”
Anthony Gordon’s reaction to Gareth Southgate’s team talk during extra-time of England win vs Switzerland spotted (an)
Anthony Gordon couldn’t hide his emotions
England have booked their place in the semi-final of Euro 2024 but Anthony Gordon has gone viral on social media.
The Three Lions will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-final after beating Switzerland on penalties.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring for the Swiss after 75 minutes but Bukayo Saka hit back five minutes later with a stunning long-range effort to keep England in it.
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Gareth Southgate’s men needed penalties to progress with all five players stepping up to find the back of the net to go through after Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s winning penalty sparked mass celebration from the England camp but the reaction of Gordon during extra-time caught the eye of England supporters.
The Newcastle winger has played just one minute of football plus stoppage time at Euro 2024 despite a stellar club campaign with the Magpies.
Roy Keane’s reaction to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick vs Slovakia has gone viral (an)
With England needing a goal, Gordon was overlooked from the bench yet again against Switzerland and his reaction during Southgate’s team-talk in extra-time was a cause for concern.
The 23-year-old was pictured looking glum as the England manager dissed out instructions and was later seen stood far away from the main group.
Anthony Gordon
Alan Shearer has led calls for Gordon to be given the chance to impress for his country and the ex-Everton man is confident he still has a role to play in the tournament.
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“My main strengths are I am very direct, I’m obviously quick,” he said earlier in the tournament. “I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against.
“I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always try to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it. I am always trying to put people on the back foot.
“With players we have got – the likes of H [Harry Kane], who likes to drop deep – I think I add a different element to the team.”
England supporters spot scary detail in Harry Kane selfie after Switzerland game (an)
Harry Kane took to social media after England beat Switzerland at Euro 2024.
Fans have been completely thrown by Harry Kane’s selfie following England’s dramatic penalty shootout victory against Switzerland.
England beat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to book their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who gave a brilliant post-match interview, all converted their spot-kicks.
Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s penalty as he revealed that he was stopped from doing his ‘usual process’ by the match referee following the quarter-final clash.
Roy Keane’s reaction to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick vs Slovakia has gone viral (an)
And Pickford was the talk of Kane’s selfie that he posted on social media.
The England captain took to X to react to his side’s stunning victory over the Swiss.
He posted a picture of himself alongside Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw and Pickford, who looked unrecognisable.
The image shows the Everton star without any product in his hair, leaving fans shocked over his appearance and joked that he morphed with Anthony Gordon.
Image: X/Harry Kane
One X user wrote: “Sees Pickford with everyday hair. *Rubs eyes*.”
A second tweeted: “Is that Pickford & Gordon?”
A third added: “I know I ain’t the only one tweaking right now.”
A fourth said: “Pickford without slicked back hair is a whole different person.”
Another joked: “Why have Gordon and Pickford merged together.”
Pickford and Co. resume their campaign next Wednesday when they take on the Netherlands for a spot in the final of Euro 2024.
