“‘Let Him Grow’: Ronaldo Set to Face Yamal in Sunday Showdown”
Cristiano Ronaldo has downplayed the media hype surrounding his Nations League final showdown with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, framing their meeting as a natural moment in the cycle of football rather than a personal clash.
“There are different generations — one arriving, one leaving,” said Ronaldo, 40. “If you want to see me as part of the older generation, that’s fine. But this isn’t Cristiano versus someone else.
It’s team against team. The media love to build these rivalries, which is normal, but it’s not what matters here.”
The final in Munich sees Ronaldo’s Portugal take on Spain, led by Yamal — the most talked-about teenager in world football — who many believe could win the Ballon d’Or within the next year. Both stars come into the game on the back of semi-final goals, heightening anticipation.
Mutual Respect, Not Rivalry
Despite the narrative, the build-up has been marked by mutual admiration. Ronaldo praised Yamal’s talent and maturity, saying:
“This kid is doing really well in a great environment at club and national level. He should be left to grow without pressure so we can enjoy his talent for years. I’d rather take the pressure off him.”
Yamal, who turns 18 on July 13, responded with humility:
“Cristiano is a legend. I respect him enormously. These are the kind of games I dream of — to prove who I am.”
Yamal’s Meteoric Rise
Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of historic. Before turning 18, he’s won a European Championship, two La Liga titles, and the Copa del Rey. He’s played 106 games for Barcelona, scoring 25 goals and assisting 18. For Spain, he has six goals and nine assists in just 20 appearances.
He has scored in the Champions League, Nations League, European Championship, and has already netted four goals in El Clasicos — feats few teenagers have ever accomplished.
By contrast, Ronaldo had scored just five goals in 19 games for Sporting CP by age 18 and hadn’t yet earned a Portugal call-up.
But Ronaldo Is Built to Last
While Yamal has surpassed Ronaldo’s teenage feats, few players — if any — can match Ronaldo’s longevity.
At 40, Ronaldo remains a key figure for Portugal and remains active with Saudi club Al-Nassr, where he’s expected to renew his contract. He recently scored his 137th international goal — a record — and has 937 career goals overall. He is widely expected to hit the 1,000-goal mark within two years.
Even his “worst” season in nearly two decades (2022–23) saw him net 17 goals between Manchester United and Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo had already earned 46 international caps before Yamal was born in 2007.
He had become the most expensive footballer in history, won the Champions League, and lifted his first Ballon d’Or before Yamal started school.
In a striking reminder of the generational gap, Ronaldo’s own son, Cristiano Jr., is just three years younger than the Spanish prodigy. A Match Between Legends — One Established, One Emerging
Sunday’s final may be a title decider, but it also serves as a symbolic passing of the torch. Whether Yamal will match Ronaldo’s legacy remains to be seen.
But as they meet on opposite ends of football’s timeline, one thing is clear: the world will be watching.
“‘Let Him Grow’: Ronaldo Set to Face Yamal in Sunday Showdown”