England are paying the price after ignoring Rio Ferdinand’s crucial Euro 2024 finals advice

Rio Ferdinand has given crucial advice to England’s players – only for it to be ignored in the Euro 2024 final.

England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin in Sunday’s big game. Speaking beforehand, Ferdinand suggested the Three Lions should focus on Spain’s young sensation Lamine Yamal in the final. Barcelona’s Yamal, 17, was the standout young performer for Spain. He scored a remarkable goal in the 2-1 victory over France in the semi-final and provided several assists throughout the football tournament.

Yamal consistently showed his exceptional talent during the Euros, often cutting inside from the right wing onto his impressive left foot. Along with Nico Williams who wreaked havoc on the left wing, the pair were among the standout performers at the Euros.

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In a pre-match interview on the BBC, Gary Lineker jokingly asked Ferdinand: “How do England stop him other than locking him in the Spanish team nursery?”

Ferdinand replied: “How do you stop a 17-year-old in the Euro final? It’s crazy that we’re sitting here talking about this, but you have to make sure you hold on to him.

“You need two of you sometimes, but send him on his weaker side, his right leg. Don’t let him get back on his dangerous left foot. Aggressive. It is a child that is not physically there yet. “

A shocked Micah Richards replied: “Bit over the top that, isn’t it Rio?” Lineker then added: “This is child cruelty!”

But England failed to listen to Ferdinand as Yamal set up Williams for Spain’s opening goal. Although Cole Palmer equalised, Mikel Oyarzabel scored a late winner to win the trophy for Spain. England’s wait for a major international trophy is 58 years and counting.