Portugal Legend Urges Patience for Barcelona’s Teen Sensation While Dismissing Ballon d’Or Comparisons
Cristiano Ronaldo offered rare paternal wisdom to teenage rival Lamine Yamal on Saturday, urging the football world to ease expectations on Spain’s 17-year-old phenom ahead of their Nations League final showdown.
The 39-year-old Portuguese icon, preparing for his first career meeting with the Barcelona winger, cautioned against premature hype while acknowledging Yamal’s extraordinary talent.
“He’s doing very well, taking full advantage of his talent,” Ronaldo told reporters. “Now let the kid grow. Don’t put too much pressure on him – he has no shortage of talent.”
Generational Divide
Ronaldo chuckled at comparisons between himself and the Spanish teenager, suggesting Yamal should instead be measured against peers like Portugal’s Vitinha.
“They are different generations – one begins, the other ends,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who’s faced similar superstar parallels throughout his career. “I’m left with the criticism, but in reality it’s one selection against another.”
Ballon d’Or Reality Check
While Yamal emerges as an early favorite for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo delivered a sobering assessment of individual awards, hinting at behind-the-scenes politics.
“Individual awards have lost consensus,” he stated. “Those who win the Champions League should win, but I don’t believe much in them. Yamal could win, like Dembélé or Vitinha… but these awards are irrelevant.”
As Portugal prepares to face what Ronaldo called “probably the best team in the world,” his words carried the weight of experience – both warning against premature coronations while acknowledging the excitement surrounding football’s newest wonderkid. The stage is set for a true passing-of-the-torch moment in Sunday’s final.
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