Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has shown respect to a rising star from his biggest rivals. In an interview with Inside Scoop, Rudiger couldn't help but praise Barcelona's 17-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal, calling his performances "ridiculous" and admitting that the youngster's future looks "quite scary".
Lamine Yamal has been turning heads in both La Liga and this year's European Championship, already racking up five goals and five assists this season after helping Spain to glory in Germany in the summer.
Despite playing for Barcelona, the winger's talent has earned the admiration of rival players from across the football world, including Rudiger, who was honest in his assessment.
"He has an impressive future ahead of him," he said. "I hope he stays healthy. The player he is for Barca at 17... It's quite scary."
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Rudiger didn't stop with just Lamine Yamal. He also spoke about his move to Madrid, describing it as a dream come true.
"I knew that the Champions League win with Chelsea [in 2021] was my ticket to the best club in the world. Madrid doesn't knock on your door very often, and I knew I had to take that step," he shared, recalling the day he signed with the Spanish giants in May 2022.
The German center-back also gave his thoughts on Real Madrid's star signing, Kylian Mbappe. "People said Kylian might tear the dressing room apart, but he's a down-to-earth guy. He's already making an impact, and the chemistry with Vini [Vinicius Junior], Rodrygo, and Jude [Bellingham] is improving," Rudiger explained.
While Madrid fans have plenty to look forward to with their current squad, it's clear that even the fiercest rivalries can't stop players from recognizing true talent when they see it — especially when that talent comes in the form of a 17-year-old wonderkid like Lamine Yamal.
