Cristiano Ronaldo has downplayed any notion of personal rivalry ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final clash with Spain, where he will face teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the first time.
“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,” said the 40-year-old Portugal captain.
“When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that’s not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it’s one team versus another.”
Despite the media narrative, Sunday’s match in Munich is shaping up to be a symbolic passing of the torch: Ronaldo, arguably the greatest player of his generation, faces Yamal, widely considered the brightest teenage star in world football.
Both forwards found the net in their respective semi-finals, setting up this highly anticipated final. Yamal helped Spain to a thrilling 5-4 win over France, while Ronaldo scored the decisive goal in Portugal’s victory over Germany.
For Yamal, the final comes just days before his 18th birthday. Already being touted as a Ballon d’Or contender, the Barcelona winger has enjoyed a stunning start to his career, both at club and international level.
É por nós. É por vocês. É por Portugal. Amanhã é dia de fazer história outra vez 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/p1SgCGVWxo
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 7, 2025
Both players have spoken about each other in the lead-up to the match.
Ronaldo said of the teenager: “This kid has been doing things really well at a club and national team that help him very much.
“It’s a great atmosphere for him to show his quality.
“Let him grow, do not put him under pressure so we can enjoy a talent like this for many years.
“I would like to take pressure off him and leave him alone. He’s got plenty of talent.”
Yamal was equally respectful, saying: “He’s a football legend. I, like all the players, have huge respect for Cristiano.
“This is the kind of game I want to play, to prove who I am.”
