Cristiano Ronaldo don yarn about Lamine Yamal before their World Cup 2026 clash on Monday. The Portugal star talk say the Barcelona youngster get very bright future. Ronaldo talk for press conference say, ‘Lamine na player wey get very bright future. I no see any of Spain matches, I only see small part of game against Cape Verde, but as I talk, e get very bright future.’
Ronaldo also talk about how Yamal handle criticism. The Portugal veteran say, ‘I think the more you prepare, the better you go survive long football career. If you succumb to criticism, you don finish. Na normal; na your job. Some criticism na constructive, other criticism just dey tear you apart. I understand; na part of how press sell news. For your case, you must get used to am if you want long career. You must focus on those wey care about you. I learn that over years. Difficult times go come, obviously; there go be days wey you no feel like working, and that one normal. Na part of our job.’
Spain and Portugal go meet for Dallas on Monday. Na repeat of last year Nations League final wey Roberto Martinez side win on penalties.
Meanwhile, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon don praise Lamine and Pau Cubarsi ahead of match. Simon talk say, ‘There no need to convince Lamine; you get different image than we get. E dey decisive for attack and help us plenty for defence. E dey very eager to prove himself, and there no need to convince am of anything. E know am, and e talk so.’
About Cubarsi, Simon remark say, ‘We no care about external evaluations; we know im worth. The coach know am too, and that one na wetin really matter. I often dey surprise by their age and how they handle things.’ Cubarsi don be one of best defenders for World Cup so far, showing discipline and maturity beyond im 19 years. Im performances don help Spain no concede any goal for tournament, keeping four clean sheets on bounce. Lamine, wey come into World Cup after injury, don start to hit im stride, with Man of Match display against Austria for Round of 32. Spain go want see more from both Barcelona teenagers against Portugal, as Cubarsi face big challenge to stop Ronaldo, while Lamine go face Nuno Mendes.
