Lamine Yamal is on the brink of making history with the Spanish national team in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final, where he’ll face off for the first time against soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Ahead of the high-stakes clash against Portugal, the 17-year-old sensation delivered a final three-word message.
Last season ended with Yamal helping Spain win UEFA Euro 2024, and during the 2024–25 campaign, he solidified his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars. He dominated the domestic scene with FC Barcelona, winning the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and La Liga, and played a key role in their run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
Now back with the national team, Yamal is eyeing a second trophy with Spain in under a year—still at just 17 years old. Looking to embrace the moment, he fueled the buildup to the final with a confident statement.
“Born for this,” Yamal wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of himself celebrating in front of Spain’s supporters. The forward used the same caption after scoring against Espanyol to help Barcelona clinch La Liga on May 16, and he’s now aiming to have a similar impact against Portugal.
Yamal ready to face Ronaldo
The anticipated duel between Yamal and Ronaldo has captured the spotlight, setting the stage for a generational showdown. While Ronaldo commands immense respect from opponents—including Yamal—the young star remains focused on his task.
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Asked about the challenge of facing Ronaldo following Spain’s semifinal win over France, Yamal said, “Obviously, I have a lot of respect for him—he’s a soccer legend. But I’ll do my job, which is to win, and that’s it.”
Spain holds positive record against Portugal
Historically, Spain has had the upper hand in the rivalry with Portugal. The two nations have faced each other 40 times in official matches, with La Roja winning 17, drawing 17, and losing just six. However, their head-to-head record on neutral ground could offer hope to Ronaldo’s side.
In five matches played on neutral venues, the teams have split the results—one win each and three draws. The most recent of those came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when both were in Group B. That game ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw, highlighted by a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo.
