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Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand names three ‘super outstanding’ talents at Euro 2024, one has carried ‘team on his back’

unitedinfocus.com 2024/10/6

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he has been left in awe at the brilliance of three “super outstanding” talents at Euro 2024 this summer.

Rio Ferdinand has been part of the BBC’s punditry line-up for the UEFA tournament in Germany, which has now reached the semi-final stage.

Spain knocked out host nation Germany with a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals, while France dumped Portugal out of the last eight on penalties.

France, who are considered one of the Euro 2024 favourites, will face Spain in the semi-finals at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday.

On the other side of the semi-final bracket, the Netherlands are set to face England in the last four of this summer’s Euros on Wednesday.

The Netherlands produced a sensational 2-1 comeback win against Turkey at the Olympiastadion in Berlin to punch their ticket to Wednesday’s semi-final encounter.

England, on the other hand, managed to beat Switzerland on penalties and will now be in action at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund against the Netherlands.

Rio Ferdinand, former player from England, records a self video during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena A...
Photo by Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images

Ferdinand picks out three Euro 2024 players

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the Manchester United legend dropped his verdict on “three teenagers” who have deeply impressed him at Euro 2024.

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was the first pick from Ferdinand after the England star has impressed in the Three Lions’ campaign.

Kobbie Mainoo only earned his first senior call-up for England during the March international break after a breakout season at Old Trafford.

The 19-year-old Stockport-born midfielder produced superb performances against Slovakia in the round of 16 and against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Ferdinand’s other two picks were Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who is only 16 years old.

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“Kobbie Mainoo for starters, Arda Guler, the Turkish boy who’s carried the Turkish team on his back almost in the last game especially was magnificent and then [Lamine] Yamal,” he said.

“Them three have been like super outstanding. I don’t think I’ve ever seen three teenagers in a tournament come to the fore[front] like this.”

Why Guler and Yamal impressed Ferdinand

Arda Guler, who was snapped up by Real Madrid last summer, played in all five of Turkey’s Euro 2024 matches before his country’s defeat to the Netherlands.

The 19-year-old Turkey international scored in the Group F opener against Georgia before impressing in the round of 16 and the quarter-finals.

Guler picked up an assist in the 2-1 win against Austria in the last 16 before registering another assist in the 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

Lamine Yamal, much like Turkey starlet Guler, has made a big impression at the Euros and played a key role for his country in their Euro 2024 campaign.

The Barcelona winger, who came through the Spanish club’s famed La Masia academy, has featured in all of Spain’s matches at the Euros this summer.

Yamal has picked up assists in the Group B opener against Croatia and in the 4-1 round-of-16 win over Georgia and 2-1 victory over Germany in the quarter-finals.

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