Portugal and Spain are set to face off on Sunday in the UEFA Nations League final. Ahead of this highly anticipated match, Cristiano Ronaldo shared his insights on the impressive rise of Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal.
In the past year, Yamal has arguably established himself as one of the best players globally, excelling at both club and international levels. The 17-year-old played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro victory last summer and recently added a LaLiga trophy with Barcelona to his accolades.
Ronaldo, who is familiar with the pressures of young stardom, conveyed a significant message regarding Yamal’s development.
**Via France24:**
“The kid has been doing very well, but what I ask is for you to let him grow, not put him under pressure. For the good of football, we need to let him evolve in his own way and enjoy the talent he has,” said Cristiano Ronaldo.
The excitement surrounding Yamal is entirely justified. His fluidity on the pitch and maturity surpassing his age are noteworthy. Last season, Yamal notched up nine goals and recorded 13 assists for Barcelona. Moreover, during the Euros, he scored once and provided four assists in Spain’s victory over England in the final—his goal from that tournament was particularly spectacular.
While much of the narrative leading up to the match centers on the Ronaldo versus Yamal storyline, the 40-year-old star emphasizes the importance of viewing the encounter through a broader lens, noting the quality present in both teams:
“There are different generations, one is coming in and another is exiting the stage. If you want to see me as another generation, then that’s OK.
“When the discussion turns to a showdown between Cristiano and someone else, that’s not quite accurate. The media tends to exaggerate, which is understandable, but it’s a match between two teams.”
“You’ve been focusing a lot on Lamine and rightly so because he’s incredibly talented,” Ronaldo remarked to reporters. “However, I’d like to shine a light on the entire team.
“They have Nico Williams, excellent midfielders like Pedri, and their coach (Luis) de la Fuente is impressive—very strong and disciplined.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to guide Portugal to their second Nations League title, having previously won the inaugural tournament in 2019. Meanwhile, Spain claimed the title in 2023.
Image Source: Dziurek / Shutterstock
