Ronaldo, who won his third trophy with Portugal after the 2016 UEFA Euro and the 2021 edition of the Nations League, looked emotional at the end of the final against Spain and embraced Roberto Martinez after the match in celebration while celebrating with the Portugal supporters.

En la conferencia posterior al partido, Ronaldo definió a Yamal, de apenas 17 años, como un “fenómeno” y aconsejó que se le diera tiempo para crecer sin presión. “Le diría: déjenlo en paz, que crezca tranquilo.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Lamine Yamal as a “phenomenon” while calling for the football world to “leave him alone”. Ronaldo, whose Portugal side beat Yamal’s Spain on penalties in the Nations League final on Sunday, was full of praise for the 17-year-old, who started in both the semi-final and final.

Ronaldo, 40, is 23 years older than Yamal, 17, but Yamal's international résumé already stacks up well against one of the greatest strikers of all time. Here's an in-depth look at the two stars of the UEFA Nations League final:

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message to FC Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal after beating him in the UEFA Nations League final.

A video has surfaced showing Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuu” celebration ahead of the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Following a final loss to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal national team, Lamine Yamal shared an image published by Pedri, with a suggestive message about the future.