Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo conveyed a message to FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal following his victory over him in the UEFA Nations League final.
With Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes leaving Lamine behind on the left flank, or Lamine’s right side, to assist Ronaldo in scoring an equalizer that brought the score to 2-2 in the second half, Portugal subsequently triumphed over Spain in a penalty shootout at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Sunday night.
Lamine was substituted during extra time after delivering what may have been his least impressive performance in a significant match thus far, as a 17-year-old who has already embarked on a remarkable career.
Reiterating his earlier message, the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient Ronaldo emphasized the importance of not placing excessive pressure on the La Masia product as he progresses.
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“He is destined to win numerous titles, both collective and individual. He is merely 17 years old… I reiterate: he is a young man with substantial potential for growth. He is extraordinary, but we must allow him space, that is my request. He has a lengthy career ahead of him and will undoubtedly secure the Nations League title multiple times,” Ronaldo forecasted.
Regarding Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente, who substituted Lamine but has also faced criticism for replacing a flawless Pedri at the 65-minute mark, after the Barcelona midfielder completed 52 out of 52 passes and provided an assist, Ronaldo also referred to him as a “phenomenon.”
“He understands better than I do – I am not a coach – [about] what the team requires. He has already achieved success, having won several accolades with Spain. What more can I say? If the coach made that choice, it was because he believed it was the best decision to enhance his team,” Ronaldo remarked.
After announcing that he will not participate in the Club World Cup, Ronaldo may now seek a new opportunity, whether in Saudi Arabia, Europe, or elsewhere.
As Ronaldo suggested, FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine has a wealth of opportunities and finals ahead of him. The next could be for his club in the Champions League, or at the World Cup in North America nearly a year from now, where Spain is among the favorites.
