Real Madrid Rival Calls FC Barcelona Prodigy Lamine Yamal ‘Scary’

Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger called FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal "scary" during a chat with The Inside Scoop.

Despite the winger only being 17, Rudiger has faced the youngster a number of times already in El Clasico, and also for his country at the Euros where Spain knocked hosts Germany out at the quarterfinal stage before going on to rule the continent for a record fourth time.

Later this month, Barca and Madrid will meet for what is basically an early title race showdown in La Liga, and Rudiger is already aware of the number 21's quality.

"We have to give credit to this guy. He's only 17-years-old and it's not ridiculous what he's doing. At Barcelona they have a player who has a whole career ahead of him. I wish him to stay healthy because we never wish evil on anyone. Hopefully he stays healthy. He has a huge future ahead of him," Rudiger said.

"At 17 years old it is quite scary, quite scary," the center back added. "We have to give him credit for what he already showed at the European Championship. Forget about rivalry and things like that. The truth will always be the truth, and he has a great future ahead of him."

Asked who he would sign as a partner for the back line, Rudiger stressed that while he is "very happy" with his teammate Eder Militao, who "has returned from a very serious injury and is recovering his best level", the amount of games that Madrid has to play means that there is always the need for rotations.

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This season, in 2024/2025, Madrid will contest seven competitions and could therefore accumulate up to 72 fixtures for example, which led Rudiger to state that "having [William] Saliba with us would be great," in reference to the Arsenal stalwart.

As Saliba has a deal which runs until 2027 at the Emirates, however, President Florentino Perez would have to get out his chequebook to make that potential move happen at a time where a shortage of options in central defense has been highlighted.

At the weekend, it is likely that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni might have to join Rudiger in the back four against Villarreal with Militao possibly out thanks to a niggle.