Nations League closing: Spain-Portugal greater than Yamal battle, says Ronaldo

Defending champions Spain face 2019 winners, and Iberian rivals, Portugal in Sunday’s Nations League closing in Munich.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that he was “one other technology” to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal however stated Sunday’s Nations League closing was greater than only a battle between the duo.

The ultimate in Munich has been framed as a showdown between veteran Ronaldo, 40, one of many sport’s largest names, and 17-year-old Yamal, essentially the most thrilling younger expertise in world soccer.

Ronaldo scored the winner to ship Portugal previous Germany into the ultimate, and Yamal was named man-of-the-match after bagging a brace in Spain’s wild 5-4 semifinal win over France.

Ronaldo, nonetheless, stated the deal with the 2 people was overblown, calling Spain “possibly the most effective nationwide group on the planet”.

“There are totally different generations, one is coming in and one other is exiting the stage. If you wish to see me as one other technology, then that’s OK.

“While you speak about a conflict between Cristiano and another person, that’s not the way it works. The media all the time attempt to hype issues up, which is a traditional factor, but it surely’s one group versus one other group.”

“You’ve been speaking about Lamine loads and also you’re proper to take action as a result of he’s excellent,” Ronaldo informed journalists, including, “however I’d like to speak in regards to the group.

“They’ve bought Nico Williams, nice midfielders like Pedri and their coach [Luis] de la Fuente is superb, very sturdy, very disciplined.”

Portugal final beat their Iberian neighbours in a aggressive fixture 21 years in the past, in a match which Ronaldo began.

Like Yamal, Ronaldo burst onto the scene at a younger age.

Aged simply 18, Ronaldo impressed a lot for boyhood aspect Sporting in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in a pleasant in Lisbon that the English membership determined to purchase him, bringing him to Outdated Trafford lower than every week later.

Like a younger Ronaldo, Yamal has constantly impressed since bursting onto the scene, successful a league and cup double with Barcelona this season after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany final yr.

The Portuguese veteran requested the media to permit {the teenager} to develop and enhance with out strain, reminding them the Spanish star “with humorous hair” was simply “three years older than my son”.

“The child has been doing very properly, however what I ask is so that you can let him develop, not put him beneath strain. For the great of soccer, we have to let him develop in his personal method and benefit from the expertise he has.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente stated Yamal was “solely 17, however very mature for his age. Nicely-prepared, clever – he lives life as if it’s all regular, and that’s what we would like for him”.

De la Fuente stated the nationwide aspect have been “making an attempt to stroll alongside [Yamal] in his schooling,” however added “you’d be stunned, shocked, how calm he’s.

“He’s particular. For some individuals, this may be a state of affairs of most stress. However for him, he’s relaxed, he’s in management – he masters the state of affairs.”

The coach additionally took time to reward Ronaldo, calling him “a legend in soccer and an instance of the values I like: effort, work price, sacrifice, getting higher each day and by no means letting your guard down.

“Portugal are led by a footballer who will go down in historical past with an indelible legacy.”

Each Spain and Portugal have already gained the Nations League. Spain are the present champions from their win in 2023, whereas Portugal gained the inaugural event again in 2019.

Spain have gained 16 and drawn two of their previous 18 fixtures – and haven’t misplaced a aggressive match since March 2023.

Spain ahead Mikel Oyarzabal informed reporters his aspect “don’t suppose we’re higher than anybody,” however “we belief ourselves 100% and know we will compete in each sport.

“We’ve proven that through the years. Our stage may be very excessive.”