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Qatar Tribune
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Facing Portugal and Ronaldo ‘a blessing': Spain coach La Fuente
DPA Munich Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is anticipating Sunday's Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal where they can claim a third title in as many years. Spain are defending champions from their 2023 success and also won Euro 2024. They are considered favourites on Sunday but De la Fuente also voiced a lot of praise for Portugal and especially their 40-year-old captain Ronaldo on Saturday. 'It's a blessing to face Portugal and a footballer who has shaped an era and a legacy,' De la Fuente said. The match is also billed as a duel of the generations between Ronaldo and Spain's 17-year old Lamine Yamal. De La Fuente reiterated that Yamal is completely relaxed among all the hype around him, saying: 'He deals with it in a completely normal way. That makes him so special.' Ronaldo scored Portugal's 2-1 winner in Wednesday's semi-final, and Yamal got a brace in Spain's epic 5-4 over France the next day. De la Fuente said he would prefer his team to concede fewer goals in general but hailed the semi-final game as 'historic' and 'a homage to football.' Ronaldo not fuessed over Yamal Sunday's Nations League final which has been dubbed a duel of the generations between him and Spain teenager Lamine Yamal. Ronaldo, 40, told reporters on Saturday that there have been such comparisons between him and another player. 'It is are completely different generations. One begins, another ends,' Ronaldo said. Ronaldo said that Yamal, who turns 18 next month. has a lot of quality. He added that young Barcelona star should be left to grow up in peace and not put under too much pressure. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo scored Portugal's 2-1 winner in Wednesday's semi-final against Germany, his 137th goal in 220 caps - both extending world records. Yamal is considered a top candidate for this year's Player of the Year award. He added to his credentials by scoring a brace in Spain's 5-4 win over France in the other semi-final.
Qatar Tribune
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
‘We are the champions' – Kane and Bayern celebrate
DPA Munich Harry Kane and the rest of the Bayern Munich team celebrated the Bundesliga title in a Munich restaurant on Sunday after failing to wrap up matters the previous day on the pitch. Kane posted a video on X showing him and others delivering a wild rendition of Queen's 'We are the Champions' shortly after the title was confirmed when rivals Bayer Leverkusen were held 2-2 at Freiburg. The video showed coach Vincent Kompany and midfielder Joshua Kimmich enjoying a glass of wine while defender Eric Dier preferred a beer. It is was most special for Kane who finally claims a trophy at long last after losing three finals with his previous club Tottenham Hotspur and two lost Euro finals with England. Kane had posted a trophy emoji on X right after the final whistle in Freiburg, while Bayern said on the same platform: 'Back where we belong.' The team had gathered at the restaurant to watch the Leverkusen game together and the delight was clearly visible in Kane's video. Bayern could have wrapped up the title on Saturday but had to swallow a last-gasp 3-3 equalizer at RB Leipzig. They would have then preferred to clinch a 34th title next Saturday on the pitch against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but Leverkusen's latest stumble delivered the trophy on Sunday. Coach Vincent Kompany said in a statement after delivering in his first season: 'Now it is the time to enjoy that we have won the Bundesliga - what an unbelievable feeling. 'Congratulations to the players for their outstanding performance across the whole season: You did it together, you won it as a team.' Kompany thanked the backroom staff and fans and urged that 'we must continue to push. The season isn't over, we can look forward to a lot. let us complete it in strong fashion.' The German Football League confirmed that Bayern will receive the trophy after the Gladbach match in their home stadium, and not after the final match in Hoffenheim a week later. 'We would like to congratulate FC Bayern München on winning the Bundesliga title,' DFL CEOs Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel said in a statement. 'The 34th title win in the club's history underlines the outstanding work of the club - both on and off the pitch.'
