Defending champions Spain face 2019 winners, and Iberian rivals, Portugal in Sunday’s Nations League remaining in Munich.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that he was “one other technology” to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal however stated 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 sport’s largest names, and 17-year-old Yamal, probably 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 concentrate on the 2 people was overblown, calling Spain “perhaps one of the best nationwide workforce 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 technology, then that’s OK.
“If 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, nevertheless it’s one workforce versus one other workforce.”
“You’ve been speaking about Lamine so much and also you’re proper to take action as a result of he’s superb,” Ronaldo instructed journalists, including, “however I’d like to speak concerning the workforce.
“They’ve obtained Nico Williams, nice midfielders like Pedri and their coach [Luis] de la Fuente is superb, very robust, 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 Previous Trafford lower than per 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 strain, reminding them the Spanish star “with humorous hair” was simply “three years older than my son”.
“The child has been doing very effectively, however what I ask is so that you can let him develop, not put him below strain. For the nice of soccer, we have to let him develop in his personal approach 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 wish 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 shocked, shocked, how calm he’s.
“He’s particular. For some folks, this might 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 charge, 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 instructed reporters his aspect “don’t suppose we’re higher than anybody,” however “we belief ourselves one hundred pc and know we will compete in each sport.
“We’ve proven that over time. Our degree could be very excessive.”