Cristiano Ronaldo got the better of Lamine Yamal at the Nations League final in 2025 - but the Barca star has age on his side
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has cheekily dismissed Lamine Yamal's comparisons to his dad, claiming the Barcelona star has miles to go before he can match the legendary status of the Portuguese icon.
Ronaldo, who is currently starring for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, is hailed as one of football's all-time greats. The 40-year-old's illustrious career boasts a record-breaking spree across stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, where he won multiple league titles, Champions Leagues and various other domestic honours.
As well as his glittering trophy cabinet, Ronaldo is now on the verge of an unprecedented milestone: scoring 1000 official professional goals, tallying up 938 so far.
Yamal, on the other hand, is turning heads as perhaps the most thrilling prospect globally. He has dazzled fans with his performances for Barcelona and Spain over recent seasons, and is widely regarded as one of the best players in football right now.
The young winger, who just turned 18 years old last week amid some controversy, is tipped to bag his first Ballon d'Or this year - an honour that Ronaldo himself has clinched five times.
With Yamal's recent exploits in La Liga, the Champions League, and the 2024 European Championships, it's no wonder some of the younger generation rate him above the ageing Ronaldo, whose prime is behind him.
This sentiment was evident during a live Twitch session with American streamer 2xRaKai, who was driving around with 15-year-old Ronaldo Jr. When quizzed about his all-time favourite footballer during the broadcast, the youngster didn't hesitate when he said: "My dad."
The streamer cheekily suggested that Yamal now outshines Ronaldo, to which the young prodigy conceded that Yamal might have the edge currently, but hasn't yet matched Ronaldo's glittering achievements.
Rakai told Cristiano Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Jr, that Lamine Yamal is a better player than his dad
He said: "Right now? Yes, but Lamine hasn't won anything yet. He's very good, but he still hasn't won anything." Despite the younger Ronaldo's sly remarks, Yamal has had a stellar 2024/25 season, bagging a domestic treble with Barcelona, which includes La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey.
He is also an impressive addition for Spain, winning the European Championship in 2024 and coming runner-up to Ronaldo's Portugal in this year's Nations League final.
Yamal scored 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions last term, while Ronaldo netted just five times in 19 outings for Sporting CP at the same age.
However, to rival Ronaldo's monumental legacy and his haul of accolades, including five Champions League titles and the record for most international goals, Yamal would need to maintain his exceptional form for many years to come.
Ronaldo himself proved he's still got it when he faced off against Yamal in last month's 2025 Nations League final, scoring in a thrilling 2-2 draw that saw Portugal win on penalties.
With Yamal being closer in age to Ronaldo Jr than the legendary forward, there's a tantalising possibility that the two youngsters may one day grace the pitch together.
Ronaldo Jr is carving out his own path in football. He's currently honing his skills at Al-Nassr's youth academy. During his father's stints at these clubs, he's had the privilege of training with Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Born in the United States, the youngster could have chosen to play for Spain but opted for Portugal at youth level, mirroring his dad. He made his first appearance for Portugal's Under-15s against Japan in May and netted his first brace against Croatia just a few days later.
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