Yamal relishing coming up against ‘football legend’ Ronaldo in Nations League final | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal says he is confident he and his Spain side can overcome a “football legend” in Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Spain beat France in the Nations League semi-finals in a thrilling 5-4 clash to set up a final with rivals Portugal in Germany on Sunday.

Yamal’s side found themselves 5-1 up against France thanks to goals from Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Pedri and a brace from Yamal, while Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot for France.

But the French almost staged an unlikely comeback, with Rayan Cherki, a Daniel Vivian own goal and Randal Kolo Muani bringing the score back to 5-4, though Spain were able to hang on.

And 17-year-old Yamal is now excited to come up against 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Of course he’s a football legend,” Yamal said.

“I have huge respect for Cristiano but I will do my job which is to try to win and that’s it.

“Obviously it’s a special game. It’s a final against a great team and you get some extra motivation. This is the kind of game I want to play and prove who I am so yes it’s maybe some extra motivation to try and get one more title with the national team and I’m looking forward to that.

“We want to make history and we want to keep going. When you win, that’s the greatest feeling. The most difficult thing to do in football is to keep winning so we will try to make the most of this team.

“We want all the players to keep enjoying themselves on the pitch and I hope we can keep moving in the same direction.”

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente also hailed Yamal after his brace against France, and backed him to win the Ballon d’Or award.

“Lamine Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d’Or,” De la Fuente told RTVE after Yamal had been named MVP.

“He’s the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.”