The Nations League final wasn’t Lamine Yamal’s finest hour considering the ridiculous standards that he’d set himself over the course of the 2024/25 season. However, it’s not the time or the place to be overly critical of this soon to be 18-year-old who is redefining the footballing paradigm and, what’s more, doing it with ease.

Ronaldo vs. Yamal was the story heading into Sunday's UEFA Nations League final, but Portugal's collective quality won the day -- and the headlines -- over Spain's impressive young talent.

Fans have made bold claims that Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or hopes have taken a hit following Spain’s defeat to Portugal in the Nations League final.