Portugal vs. Spain: Projected Lineups for Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lamine Yamal in UEFA Nations League Final

Portugal and Spain will square off on Sunday at the Allianz Arena in the highly anticipated final of the 2025 UEFA Nations League. All eyes will be on the generational showdown between football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and rising phenom Lamine Yamal. With both sides aiming to lift another major trophy, fans can expect a dramatic clash between tradition and future promise.

Spain has been in top form since Luis de la Fuente took over as head coach from Luis Enrique. His tenure delivered an immediate impact, with La Roja claiming the EURO 2024 title by defeating England 2-1. Yamal emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars and continues to be a key figure in Spain’s success.

Portugal, meanwhile, began a new era under Spanish manager Roberto Martinez. Though they fell in the EURO 2024 quarterfinals, the team has found consistency and cohesion. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, continues to defy age and remains a focal point for the national team, proving he still has plenty left to offer on the international stage.

Sunday’s final marks the first head-to-head meeting between Ronaldo and Yamal, a symbolic passing of the torch moment in European football. Ronaldo enters the match as the Nations League’s second-leading scorer, while Yamal, fresh off a brace against France, is among the most decisive players in the tournament. The stage is set for a classic.

Ronaldo and Yamal exchange praise before the final

Cristiano Ronaldo was already winning titles and rewriting history before Lamine Yamal was even born. Yet despite the generational divide, both stars have spoken with mutual admiration ahead of Sunday’s clash.

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Asked about facing Ronaldo during the France’s post-match press conference, 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.” The young Spaniard made it clear he’s ready for the challenge, without losing sight of the respect due to his opponent.

Ronaldo, now the elder statesman of the game, responded with veteran poise: “Lamine Yamal is doing very well, taking advantage of his talent. Let the kid grow. Don’t put too much pressure on him. Let him be and grow well, take the pressure off. He has no shortage of talent.”

Projected lineups for Portugal and Spain

Portugal’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo.Head coach: Roberto Martinez.

Spain’s projected lineups (4-3-3): Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Dean Huijsen, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella; Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Merino; Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.Head coach: Luis de la Fuente.