Declan Rice praises Lamine Yamal’s kindness to his son after England defeat

Declan Rice says he was deeply touched by Lamine Yamal’s gesture towards his son after Spain beat England 3-2 at Wembley in the Nations League.

The Arsenal midfielder took his son into the dressing room after the match so he could meet the Barcelona forward, who agreed to pose for a photograph with him.

Rice said the moment had particular significance for him as a father, while also pointing to Yamal’s relationship with his younger brother.

“It was really lovely, and it is something I appreciate as a father,” Rice said. “I know he has a younger brother who he looks after, so I think that behaviour comes naturally to him. That gesture really affected me.”

Rice also described his son’s fascination with the Barcelona player in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.

“I told him he was going to play against him, and he kept asking me why I was going to face Lamine,” he said.

The England midfielder had taken his son to meet Yamal despite being unable to play because of back and hamstring problems.

The two players have only met once during their careers, in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, when Spain won 2-1.

Yamal provided an assist for Nico Williams before being substituted in the 89th minute, while Rice started and played the full match.

Spain and England meet again

The sides will meet again at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening in the sixth round of the Nations League, with top spot in Group C at stake.

Spain go into the match unbeaten and on 15 points. England have 12 points after losing the opening group game 3-2 to Spain at Wembley.

Thomas Tuchel’s side must win to move above the World and European champions and secure home advantage in the Nations League quarter-finals.

A draw, however, will be enough for Spain to remain top of the group.

The match at the Metropolitano is the latest chapter in a fixture that has already included the Euro 2024 final and the meeting at Wembley, where Yamal’s contribution helped Spain claim victory.

Rice’s comments about his son came as attention turned towards another meeting between the two national teams, with the personal exchange between the Arsenal midfielder’s family and Yamal providing a softer moment before a decisive Nations League match.