Actual Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo got here out on prime within the Nations League remaining on Sunday evening, in what was partially dubbed a sport between an outgoing monarch and an inheritor to the throne, Lamine Yamal. Ronaldo had praised the 17-year-old earlier than the match, and had phrases for him after the sport too.
Portugal got here from behind twice towards Spain in Munich, with Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo putting again after objectives from Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, earlier than profitable out on penalties. Though he performed a key function within the first aim for Spain, Lamine Yamal largely struggled to get into the sport, with Mendes getting the higher of him in each Portugal objectives.
Ronaldo clears up doubts about future
Ronaldo is presently out of contract in lower than 4 weeks as issues stand, together with his deal at Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr expiring. Nonetheless after the sport, he advised MD that he could be remaining there.
“Nothing will change. Will I keep at Al-Nassr? Sure.”
Ronaldo’s message for Lamine Yamal
The 40-year-old celebrity famous that whereas he had loads of room to enhance, that the media ought to ease off {the teenager}.
“He’s going to win many titles, each collective and particular person. He’s solely 17 years outdated… I repeat: he’s a child with quite a lot of room for enchancment. He’s a phenomenon, however we’ve to depart him alone, that’s what I ask. He has a really lengthy profession forward of him and can certainly win the Nations League many instances.”
Official: FC Barcelona and Clément Lenglet have reached an settlement for the termination of the contract linking the 2 events. @FCBarcelona
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 9, 2025
Form phrases for Luis de la Fuente too
Ronaldo additionally went out to bat for Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente too, who was criticised after his facet misplaced management of the sport within the second half.
“Your coach is a phenomenon. He is aware of higher than I do – I’m not a coach – what the crew wants. He’s already gained a number of titles with Spain. What else would you like me to let you know? If the coach made the choice, it was as a result of he thought it was the perfect factor to enhance his crew.”
It was a sobering night for the Spain facet, who had gained their final two competitions in a row. They are going to now go into World Cup preparation mode for the following 12 months, and de la Fuente will probably be tasked with fixing doubts in regards to the configuration of his midfield, and the right-back and centre-forward positions.