Yamal and Ronaldo set for generations duel in Nations League final
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Christian Charisius/dpa
Sunday's Nations League final between Spain and Portugal is more than a generation duel between Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo but the two players separated by 23 years will be getting most of attention.
At this mini tournament, Ronaldo scored Portugal's 2-1 winner against hosts Germany in Wednesday's semi-final.
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The next day, Yamal netted a brace as Spain held off France 5-4 in a thriller.
Impressive numbers
Now they go head to head on Sunday in Munich where Yamal aims to add a second national team trophy to that from Euro 2024 before turning 18 next month.
Ronaldo wants to prove that he can still lift silverware at age 40 and at the same time further stretch his appearance and scoring world records which currently stand at 220 caps and 137 goals, respectively.
Ronaldo has won countless trophies for clubs and country and is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner while Yamal is tipped as a future winner of the top individual prize, possibly already this year.
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"Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend and I have huge respect but I'll do my job and try to win on Sunday," Yamal said.
Yamal's magic touch
Yamal dazzled at last year's Euros and has also had a another strong season at domestic treble winners Barcelona.
"He has been touched by God's magic wand," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente recently told Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung while also praising the youngster's maturity and work ethic.
De la Fuente said Yamal has all it takes to become a legend like Ronaldo, and team-mates have full confidence in him which shows when he gets the ball from elder players in any situation.
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Spain will be bidding for a third title in as many years, after Nations League success in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory.
For Portugal and Ronaldo, success on Sunday would be a third title overall, the others being at Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.
Ronaldo still hungry
Ronaldo would have every excuse to call it a day on his playing career when his contract at Saudi club Al Nassr expires at the end of June.
There has been occasional talk about his future in the national team, but midfielder Bernardo Silva insisted on Wednesday that "We are happy to have him with us" as he praised "his ambition to keep going."
After all, there is a another World Cup around the corner next year - and speculation whether Ronaldo can reach 150 Portugal goals and 1,000 in overall official career matches.
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