Cristiano Ronaldo has urged restraint and patience in how the media and fans treat Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, warning that excessive pressure could hamper the teenager’s development despite his immense talent.
Yamal, born in Spain to a mother of Equatorial Guinean and a father of Moroccan descent, has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most promising players.
The 17-year-old faced Ronaldo for the first time on Sunday as Spain and Portugal met in the UEFA Nations League, a contest that saw Ronaldo score his 132nd international goal and Pedro Neto seal the 2–1 victory for Portugal with a late penalty.
The encounter between two generations of footballing talent was widely anticipated, with the spotlight inevitably falling on Yamal, whose breakout year at Barcelona has seen him tipped for prestigious honours, including the Ballon d’Or.
Yet Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the award, cautioned against overhyping the young forward, emphasising the importance of giving him space to grow.
“He’s going to win many titles, collective and individual. He is only 17 years old… I repeat: he is a boy with a lot of room for progression,” Ronaldo said.
“He’s a phenomenon, but we have to leave him alone, that’s what I’m asking. He has a very long career ahead of him and he will surely win the Nations League many times.”
Ronaldo’s remarks reflect his personal experience as a teenager who faced intense scrutiny during his early years at Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United.
While he ultimately thrived, the Portuguese icon warned that not every young talent can withstand such pressure.
