Cristiano Ronaldo has praised Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal as a generational talent while insisting Portugal possess the collective quality to eliminate Spain in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash in Dallas on Monday. The Portugal captain, appearing at his sixth World Cup, acknowledged Spain’s status as tournament favourites but declared plainly that he expects his side to win.
Speaking ahead of the blockbuster Iberian derby, Ronaldo was measured about Yamal, who has emerged as one of the competition’s most talked-about performers. “Lamine is a player with a lot of future,” Ronaldo said, in quotes relayed by Fabrizio Romano. “He’s doing very well and his future will be great. But I see Spain as a whole. They are very good and it will be very tough.”
The Al-Nassr striker was equally clear that Portugal’s hopes rest on collective effort rather than individual heroics. “I don’t want to individualise,” he said. “We need faith, run and courage.” Despite the respectful tone, Ronaldo left no doubt about his personal conviction: “Spain is always a candidate to win whatever it is… we know they are favourites… but I have the feeling that we will win.”
Form, facts and what is at stake
Portugal arrive in Dallas unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, having edged Croatia 2-1 in their previous knockout fixture, with Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos on the scoresheet. Roberto Martínez’s side carry momentum, and Ronaldo himself has netted three goals in the tournament so far.
Spain, however, present a formidable obstacle. Luis de la Fuente’s men have gone 14 consecutive matches without defeat and have not conceded a single goal at this World Cup, after recovering from a group-stage draw with Cape Verde to dismantle Austria 3-0 in their last outing. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in that game and leads the tournament’s scoring charts with four goals, making him Spain’s most potent attacking threat alongside Yamal.
The two nations met as recently as the UEFA Nations League final, where Portugal triumphed on penalties after a 2-2 draw — a result that underlines how fine the margins between these sides tend to be. A quarter-final place awaits whoever survives Monday’s contest, and with Ronaldo’s international future uncertain following comments from his sister suggesting this could be his final World Cup, the stakes could hardly be higher for the Portugal captain.