Cristiano Ronaldo has warned against fans putting ‘too much pressure’ on Lamine Yamal but admits the winger has ‘no shortage of talent’.
Ronaldo will come face-to-face with Yamal when Portugal take on Spain in the UEFA Nations League final this weekend.
Yamal scored twice during Spain’s semi-final win over France and has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last two seasons. The teenager broke records on route to helping Spain to success at Euro 2024 last summer, before starring during Barcelona’s La Liga and Copa del Rey double this season.
Lamine Yamal is now valued at over €400m…😮💰 pic.twitter.com/WUFrGtB5OD
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 6, 2025
His performances have placed Yamal in contention for the Ballon d’Or, where he could become the youngest-ever winner of the award later this year. No teenager has previously won the prize.
Ronaldo has been impressed by Yamal’s development but has urged against placing too much pressure on the 17-year-old. He wants to see Yamal ‘grow’ with freedom in the coming seasons.
“Lamine Yamal is doing very well, taking advantage of his talent. Let the kid grow,” Ronaldo said ahead of Sunday’s final.
“Don’t put too much pressure on him. Let him be and grow well, take the pressure off. He has no shortage of talent.”
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