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Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal told he is still only the ‘third-best player’ in the world

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Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal delivered a stunning performance against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, reinforcing his status as one of football’s brightest young talents.

At just 17 years old, Yamal played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s 3-3 draw at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, marking his 100th appearance for the club with a spectacular goal that sparked his team’s comeback.

The match got off to a nightmare start for Barcelona as Inter Milan raced to a 2-0 lead within the opening 22 minutes. Marcus Thuram opened the scoring with the fastest goal ever recorded in a Champions League semi-final, and Denzel Dumfries doubled the advantage shortly after, silencing the home supporters.

However, Yamal’s individual brilliance brought Barcelona back into the contest. His goal not only reduced the deficit but also energized his teammates and the crowd. In addition to scoring, Yamal hit the woodwork twice and provided a creative spark that left spectators in awe.

Despite this extraordinary performance, Marcus Thuram was hesitant to call Yamal the best player in the world. Speaking after the match, Thuram asserted that two of his French compatriots were currently superior.

“The best player in the world is French, the second-best player is also French. Maybe Lamine is the third-best,” he told Canal Plus, naming Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé as his top two choices.

Barcelona found an equalizer before halftime when Ferran Torres capitalized on a defensive lapse to tap in the second goal. Inter responded in the second half, reclaiming the lead through another Dumfries effort, this time from a set piece.

But once again, Barcelona refused to fold. Yann Sommer inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, allowing the Spanish side to level the score at 3-3 and setting up an intriguing second leg in Milan.

The winner of the tie will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the 2025 Champions League final.

Reactions to Yamal’s display were effusive. TNT Sports analyst Ally McCoist described the first half as “unbelievable,” saying he had never seen 45 minutes like it from a single player. Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi also praised the youngster, calling him a once-in-a-generation talent.

“He caused us huge problems. We tried to double-mark him and it still wasn’t enough,” Inzaghi admitted. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick added, “He’s a genius. In the big matches, he delivers.”

Yamal’s meteoric rise has naturally drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, another Barcelona icon who also made his name as a teenage sensation. However, Yamal has been quick to downplay such parallels.

Speaking before the semi-final, he said, “I don’t compare myself to anyone, especially not Messi. I just want to enjoy myself and be who I am.”

Yamal’s exceptional talent, maturity, and impact on the biggest stage continue to capture the football world’s attention, and the second leg promises to be another opportunity for him to shine.

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Marcus Rashford ‘chooses next club’ as Aston Villa ponder £40m deal

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Marcus Rashford 'chooses next club' as Aston Villa ponder £40m deal
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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is reportedly determined to force a move to Barcelona this summer.

The England international joined Aston Villa on loan in January and has impressed with four goals and six assists in 17 outings under Unai Emery, although a recent hamstring issue has kept him sidelined.

Villa hold an option to sign Rashford permanently for £40 million this summer, but they have yet to decide whether to trigger it—and they do not possess first refusal, meaning Manchester United could sell him elsewhere.

Rashford was heavily linked with Barcelona in January, but financial constraints scuppered a deal and opened the door for Villa.

Rashford ’looking to force’ Barcelona switch

Despite enjoying his spell in the West Midlands, Barcelona remain Rashford’s preferred destination.

According to Sport, his representatives have approached the Catalan giants about a potential loan move, though United would need to subsidise part of his £325,000‑a‑week wages—or Barcelona would have to agree to a significant pay cut on his behalf.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia and across the Premier League are also monitoring the situation, but Rashford has made it clear that he only wants to join Hansi Flick’s side.

Would Man United accept another loan deal?

Selling Rashford this summer would count as pure profit for United under Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, thanks to his home‑grown status.

While United are keen to reinvest any funds raised, it’s hard to see them agreeing to another loan—especially one that leaves them covering part of his salary.

That said, they might contemplate a move with a mandatory purchase clause in 2026, giving them both short‑term flexibility and long‑term certainty.

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Ruben Amorim ‘could QUIT’ Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe fears revealed in shock report

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Ruben Amorim 'could QUIT' Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe fears revealed in shock report
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly growing concerned that Ruben Amorim might walk away from Manchester United.

After Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October 2024 following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, United moved swiftly to bring in Amorim on the back of his success at Sporting CP.

Yet translating his tactics at Old Trafford has proven challenging, with the Red Devils languishing in 16th place in the Premier League.

Despite domestic struggles, United have excelled in Europe and stand one win away from securing Champions League football by beating Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Amorim himself hinted at the possibility of an early exit if results don’t improve, saying, “It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this. If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people.”

According to The Sun, Ratcliffe—United’s minority owner and INEOS chairman—“remains concerned” that Amorim may decide “enough is enough after a campaign of chaos.”

The report suggests Ratcliffe views the 40-year-old Portuguese as somewhat of a “loose cannon” and wants reassurance that Amorim will honour the final two years of his contract rather than depart and leave the club in disarray.

Ahead of the crucial final, Amorim appeared undeterred, insisting on his belief in the squad’s readiness. “I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game. They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club.

After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.

So I am really confident.” With both Ratcliffe’s concerns and Amorim’s resolve laid bare, all eyes will be on Wembley to see whether the Europa League final serves as a turning point for United’s tumultuous season.

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Ex Arsenal star Lacazette’s home burgled while playing final game for Lyon with cash and jewellery stolen

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Ex Arsenal star Lacazette’s home burgled while playing final game for Lyon with cash and jewellery stolen
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Alexandre Lacazette’s home was targeted by burglars while he was on the pitch for Lyon last night, according to French outlet Le Progrès.

The 33‑year‑old, playing his 391st and final match for his boyhood club, was facing Angers at Groupama Stadium when two intruders are reported to have broken into his residence in Lyon’s fifth arrondissement around 9.30 pm local time.

Once inside, they accessed a safe and made off with jewellery, luxury leather goods and cash, with the stolen haul “claimed to be tens of thousands of pounds.”

Security cameras captured the suspects, and police launched an investigation after the burglary was officially reported at 1.30 am.

Lacazette rose through Lyon’s youth system before joining Arsenal in 2017, then returned to France in 2022.

Manager Paulo Fonseca recently confirmed that Lacazette will depart when his contract expires this summer, as Lyon look to balance the books amid financial concerns.

In recognition of his service, supporters unveiled a giant tifo before kick‑off, and Lacazette honored them by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Angers—his 200th and 201st for the club—securing a sixth‑place finish.

He joins several teammates who have suffered similar crimes in recent seasons, including Georges Mikautadze, who was robbed at gunpoint last December, and Dejan Lovren, who faced an attempted break‑in in October 2023.

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