Declan Rice has been making waves recently, especially after his outstanding brace against Real Madrid.
His performance not only left fans in awe but also sparked discussions about his potential to be one of the greatest English midfielders of his generation.
A Moment to Remember
Rice opened the scoring with a remarkable long-range free-kick, setting the tone for what was to come.
Just 12 minutes later, he stunned everyone with an even better goal, bending it into the top corner.
Mikel Merino then added a third goal in the 75th minute, securing a dominant 3-0 victory for Arsenal against the reigning champions.
Rice’s incredible display earned him the Player of the Match award, cementing his role as the standout performer of the evening.
Praise from All Corners
Since that memorable night, Rice has been showered with praise, with some pundits comparing him to English legends like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
However, Jamie Carragher sees him differently.
According to Carragher, Rice’s style is more reminiscent of former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
Keane, known for his tenacity and leadership, wasn’t a prolific scorer, but his influence was undeniable.
Carragher, writing in his Telegraph column, emphasized that Rice’s primary role on the pitch isn’t to score or create goals.
“I’ve always said Rice has the potential to be the great English midfielder of his generation, and he showed why,” Carragher wrote.
He continued, “Rice has always been more of a Roy Keane figure, whose goals weren’t the highlight of his game, but his impact was immense.”
Rice Reflects on His Historic Night
After the game, Rice himself shared his thoughts on the achievement.
Having played over 330 professional matches without scoring a direct free-kick, he was understandably speechless after scoring twice in 12 minutes.
“I don’t know if it will ever sink in,” he admitted, acknowledging the overwhelming attention he received. “My phone has gone crazy.”
The 24-year-old midfielder was clearly proud of his accomplishments but remained humble, recognizing the importance of the team’s collective effort.
“It’s a nice bit of history to beat Madrid,” he said.
“We want to be in the semis, and we’re not just here to defend, we’re here to attack.”
A Teammate’s Encouragement
Regarding his first free-kick, Rice explained that shooting wasn’t initially part of the plan.
It was a suggestion from his teammate, Bukayo Saka, that encouraged him to go for it.
“We had a good discussion before each one,” Rice explained.
“Martin [Odegaard] said to cross, but I felt it didn’t make sense. Bukayo said, ‘If you feel it, go for it.’ And I looked at the wall and keeper, and I just bent it in.”
Though set-piece coach Nicolas Jover had suggested crossing the ball, Rice trusted his instincts and decided to take the shot.
His decision clearly paid off, and now his goals will be remembered as part of Arsenal’s thrilling victory over one of Europe’s most formidable teams.
What’s Next for Rice?
As Rice continues to shine on the big stage, his fans and teammates are eagerly watching his progress.
With performances like this, it’s clear that the sky’s the limit for the young midfielder.
If he continues on this trajectory, he might just live up to Carragher’s prediction of becoming England’s greatest midfielder in a generation.