"The player he is already for them at 17 is quite scary" - Real Madrid star heaps praise on Barcelona's Lamine Yamal

Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger has lavished praise on Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal. The Los Blancos defender put aside the rivalry and suggested that Yamal could become a massive star for La Blaugrana.

Rudiger said (speaking on the Inside Scoop YouTube channel):

"You have to give credit where credit is due, he's 17. It is ridiculous. They have a player who can have a career, hope he can stay healthy. He has a huge future in football. The player he is already for them at 17 is quite scary. Also, what he did in the Euros, you have to give kudos to him. Forget rivalry and all those things, truth will always be truth. He has a great future ahead of him"

The teenager shot onto the scene for Barcelona last season, becoming a key player under Xavi. In all, he made 50 appearances last season, collecting seven goals and nine assists.

Yamal continued his rise to stardom at the Euros, where his one goal and four assists propelled Spain to a memorable victory in the tournament. This season, he has continued his rich vein of form, bagging four goals and five assists in eight league games.

Barcelona pull out of race to sign Real Madrid transfer target: Reports

Wirtz has been impressive for Bayer Leverkusen.

Barcelona have reportedly dropped their interest in signing Florian Wirtz. According to German outlet SPORT BILD, the Catalan giants' financial situation is expected to make a move for the attacker impossible.

On the other hand, Real Madrid continue their pursuit of the player. The 21-year-old has reportedly been on Los Blancos' radar for a long time and could move to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2025.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are not the only sides interested in the player as the report claims that a host of other top European clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, are also looking to sign him. It remains to be seen which of these clubs will meet Bayer Leverkusen's €150 million asking price.

Wirtz was a key part of the Bayer Leverkusen side last season that went unbeaten domestically. He made 49 appearances in total, collecting 18 goals and 20 assists. He carried his form into the home Euros for Germany, scoring twice as the side exited in the quarter-finals.

Wirtz has picked up where he left off, bagging six goals and one assist in nine games this season.