Rice moved by Yamal’s special moment with his son ahead of Spain-England rematch

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

The two sides meet again at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano on Sunday evening, with the decisive Group C fixture set to determine who finishes top of the section.

Rice took his son into the dressing room after the previous match so he could meet Barcelona forward Yamal. The England midfielder had been unable to play because of back and hamstring problems, but wanted his son to see the Spain star.

Yamal agreed to have a photograph taken with the boy, a gesture Rice said meant a great deal to him as a father.

“That was really lovely, and it is something I appreciate as a dad,” Rice said.

“I know he has a younger brother he looks after, so I think that kind of behaviour comes naturally to him. That gesture really affected me.”

Rice also described his son’s fascination with the Barcelona winger 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.

Yamal and Rice have otherwise met only once during their football careers, according to the source article, in the final of UEFA Euro 2024. Spain won that match 2-1 in Berlin.

At the previous meeting between the national teams, Yamal provided an assist for Nico Williams before being substituted in the 89th minute. Rice started and played the full match.

Spain go into Sunday’s game unbeaten and with 15 points from their five matches. England have 12 points after losing the opening group fixture 3-2 to Spain at Wembley.

The match is particularly significant for Thomas Tuchel’s side. England must win to move above the holders of the World Cup and European Championship and secure home advantage in the Nations League quarter-finals.

A draw, however, would be enough for Spain to retain first place in the group.

Both teams will meet at the Metropolitano in the sixth round of the Nations League, with the result determining the final Group C standings.