Defending champions Spain face 2019 winners, and Iberian rivals, Portugal in Sunday’s Nations League ultimate in Munich.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that he was “one other era” to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal however mentioned Sunday’s Nations League final 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 recreation’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, mentioned the give attention to the 2 people was overblown, calling Spain “perhaps the very best nationwide staff on the earth”.
“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 era, then that’s OK.
“Once you discuss a conflict between Cristiano and another person, that’s not the way it works. The media at all times attempt to hype issues up, which is a traditional factor, but it surely’s one staff versus one other staff.”
“You’ve been speaking about Lamine lots and also you’re proper to take action as a result of he’s superb,” Ronaldo informed journalists, including, “however I’d like to speak in regards to the staff.
“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 facet 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over Manchester United in a pleasant in Lisbon that the English membership determined to purchase him, bringing him to Outdated Trafford lower than every week later.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, profitable a league and cup double with Barcelona this season after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany final 12 months.
The Portuguese veteran requested the media to permit {the teenager} to develop and enhance with out stress, 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 below stress. For the nice 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 mentioned Yamal was “solely 17, however very mature for his age. Effectively-prepared, clever – he lives life as if it’s all regular, and that’s what we would like for him”.
De la Fuente mentioned the nationwide facet had been “making an attempt to stroll alongside [Yamal] in his schooling,” however added “you’d be shocked, shocked, how calm he’s.
“He’s particular. For some individuals, this is able to be a scenario of most stress. However for him, he’s relaxed, he’s in management – he masters the scenario.”
The coach additionally took time to reward Ronaldo, calling him “a legend in soccer and an instance of the values I like: effort, work fee, sacrifice, getting higher daily 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 match 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 facet “don’t assume we’re higher than anybody,” however “we belief ourselves one hundred pc and know we will compete in each recreation.
“We’ve proven that over time. Our stage may be very excessive.”
