Cristiano Ronaldo had a clear message for Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal after their Nations League showdown in Munich as Portugal beat Spain.
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Ronaldo labelled Yamal a “phenomenon”Urged media and fans to give him time to growDefended coach's decision to sub teen starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo offered words of encouragement to Yamal following Portugal's Nations League final victory over Spain. Speaking post-match at the Allianz Arena, the Portugal captain referred to the 17-year-old as a "phenomenon" and advised that the youngster be given time to develop without excessive pressure. Ronaldo's remarks came after Portugal edged out Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
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Yamal has emerged as a standout for both Barcelona and Spain at just 17 years old. With 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, his performances have drawn widespread attention, but Ronaldo urged the media and fans to manage expectations and let Yamal develop to the fullest. The prodigy started the final but was substituted at the start of extra time by head coach Luis de la Fuente, a decision Ronaldo also defended.
WHAT RONALDO SAID
Ronaldo told reporters: "He's going to win a lot of titles, both collective and individual. He's only 17 years old… I repeat: he's a kid with a lot of room for improvement. He's a phenomenon, but we have to leave him alone, that's what I ask. He has a very long career ahead of him and will surely win the Nations League many times."
Asked about De la Fuente, he said: "Your coach is a phenomenon. He knows better than I do – I'm not a coach – what the team needs. He's already won several titles with Spain. What more do you want me to say? If the coach made the decision, it was because he thought it was the best thing to improve his team."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL AND SPAIN?
Yamal is expected to rejoin Barcelona for pre-season preparations ahead of the 2025-26 La Liga campaign. The European champions will assess his workload after a packed summer, while the national team look will hope to keep him fit ahead of the World Cup in 2026.
