Cristiano Ronaldo on Lamine Yamal: A Legendās Call for Patience Amid Rising Stardom
In the ever-changing landscape of global football, new prodigies regularly emerge, igniting excitement, comparisons, and debate. One of the most electrifying young talents today is Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old phenomenon already turning heads with standout performances for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Among those weighing in on Yamalās meteoric rise is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, a footballing icon whose own journey from precocious teenager to global superstar offers valuable insight into the pressures of early fame. In a recent interview with Spanish media, Ronaldo spoke with characteristic wisdom and humility, urging the football world to let Yamal grow without undue pressure.
“Let the boy grow calmly”
When asked by journalist Cristiano Alfredo MartĆnez (Onda Cero) about the comparisons being made between himself and Yamal, Ronaldo responded with warmth and clarity:
āThe boy is doing things very, very well. He is at a club that helps him a lot, and in a national team that also supports him. He is in a very favorable environment for his qualities, which are very, very big.ā
But he followed this praise with a crucial caveat:
āWhat I really ask is to let the boy grow calmly, not to put so much pressure on him. For the good of football and to enjoy a talent like him for many years, it is important to let him grow in his own wayā¦ and enjoy him for many years. That is what I hope for.ā
Itās a message only someone with Ronaldoās experience can truly deliver. Having lived through the pressures of early fame, he knows the toll media hype, fan expectations, and constant scrutiny can take on a young playerās mental and physical development.
A Fatherās Perspective
The conversation took a personal turn when Miguel Ćngel Toribio mentioned that Ronaldo has been scoring goals since the year Yamal was born ā 2007 ā and drew parallels between Yamalās rise and what Ronaldo might one day feel if his own 14-year-old son began breaking into elite football.
Ronaldo responded with affection, not just for Yamal, but for Spain as a whole:
āI like him because my children also like him. Part of my family is Spanish ā my wife is Spanish and Argentinian ā so I have a special affection for Spain. It has always been one of the best teams since I started playing. Theyāve always had great talents.ā
He also gave credit to Spainās current crop, naming Pedri and the āyoung generation coming up,ā and praised the national teamās discipline under its current coach.
On the Ballon dāOr: Caution Behind the Glamour
No Ronaldo interview would be complete without mention of the Ballon dāOr, the sportās most coveted individual prize. But here too, Ronaldo offered a grounded view:
āI think individual awards are a bit of a consensus of merit, but there is no exact formula to say who deserves to winā¦ Usually the one who wins is the one who had the best season, like the Champions League winner. There are many players who could win it, but I donāt believe much in individual awards because I know what goes on behind the scenes.ā
His remark provides rare honesty about the award’s behind-the-curtain dynamics, reminding fans that football remains, at its core, a team game. Still, Ronaldo didnāt dismiss the potential of players like Yamal, MbappĆ©, or DembĆ©lĆ©, noting: āThe boy has potential, without a doubt.ā
The Bigger Picture: Experience Meets Emerging Greatness
What makes Ronaldoās message especially meaningful is not just the substance, but the source. Heās not simply an aging legend reflecting from the sidelines; heās a still-active icon who understands the delicate balance between talent, expectation, and longevity.
His plea for patience isnāt just advice ā itās a call to action for fans, pundits, and the football ecosystem as a whole: nurture, donāt overwhelm. Because in a world that demands instant results, allowing space for young stars like Yamal to breathe may be the difference between a fleeting flame and a generational talent
