Ahead of the highly anticipated Nations League final between Portugal and Spain on Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo shared his thoughts on facing FC Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, while cautioning against placing excessive pressure on the young talent. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also surprised fans by discussing the possibility of playing alongside his long-time rival, Lionel Messi.
The buildup to the final has been framed by many as a personal duel between Ronaldo and Yamal, despite the significant age gap. Ronaldo, however, dismissed this narrative, emphasizing the team aspect of the game. “It’s always like this. Whenever there is a final, it is Cristiano against someone. You would have to compare Lamine with Vitinha, where there is less of an age difference, but they want to do it with Cristiano. It’s always Cristiano against someone, but it’s not like that. We play one team against another. What we want is to play a good game and win,” Ronaldo explained.
Ronaldo was full of praise for the 17-year-old Yamal, acknowledging his extraordinary talent and the supportive environment at Barcelona and the Spanish national team. “The boy is doing things very, very well. The club and the national team help him a lot. He is in a conducive environment. But I ask that you let the boy grow up for the sake of football. Let him grow calmly and take the pressure off him. You can help him by leaving him alone because he does not lack talent,” Ronaldo urged, expressing concern about the intense scrutiny young players face.
The Portuguese star also highlighted his personal connection to Yamal, revealing, “My son likes Lamine. I have a very special affection for Spain. The greatest talents have always been Spanish. Williams is a great player, Pedri is great… The coach has done a very top job, you can see that he puts discipline into them. I hope tomorrow will be a nice game and that Portugal can win.”
When asked about the Ballon d’Or, for which Yamal is considered a favorite, Ronaldo offered a measured perspective. “I like to give advice to anyone who wants to listen, but in private, face to face,” he said. He expressed skepticism about individual awards, stating, “In my opinion, the Ballon d’Or should be won by those who stand out and win the Champions League. But there is no consensus. I don’t believe much in individual awards because I know what is being worked on behind the truth. But the boy (Lamine) has a chance… They are a bit irrelevant because there is not a 100% consensus.”
In a surprising twist, Ronaldo was asked about the possibility of playing alongside Lionel Messi, potentially at Inter Miami or against him for an Argentine club. The Al-Nassr star reflected fondly on their shared history, saying, “You know that I have a lot of affection for Argentina. I have had invitations to play the Club World Cup with [a club from] Argentina. Never say never, but it’s very difficult. I really like Argentina. I never went and I want to go. I don’t have any preferred club. I have a lot of affection for Messi. We have been on stage together for 15 years. I used to translate things from English to Spanish at the galas…”
However, Ronaldo was clear about his stance on the Club World Cup, confirming he would not participate. “It’s irrelevant at this point. I prefer to talk about other things. I have had quite a few contacts, but you have to think in the short, medium, and long term. I will not go to the Club World Cup, that is a fact,” he stated firmly.
As Portugal and Spain prepare to clash in the Nations League final, Ronaldo’s comments reflect both his competitive focus and his desire to protect the next generation of football stars, while his candid remarks about Messi add an intriguing layer to their storied rivalry.