Cristiano Ronaldo has showered praise on Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, while simultaneously urging fans to temper their expectations for the 17-year-old phenom.
"He's an incredible talent, but we shouldn't put too much pressure on him," Ronaldo cautioned when discussing the young winger's meteoric rise.
Yamal has been turning heads across Europe with his performances for both "Barcelona" and the Spanish national team. The youngster recently showed his class by netting two goals in Spain's thrilling 5-4 victory over France in Thursday's UEFA Nations League semifinal.
His domestic record isn't too shabby either. The teenager posted impressive numbers for "Barcelona" in their La Liga-winning campaign - nine goals and 13 assists across 35 matches. Not bad for a player who can't even legally drive in most countries!
Interestingly, Yamal already has a European Championship medal to his name, helping guide Spain to their fourth Euro title last summer. His contributions earned him the tournament's Young Player Award - further cementing his status as football's next potential superstar.
But is all this attention healthy for such a young player? Ronaldo's words of caution seem particularly relevant given how quickly expectations can spiral in modern football.
The stage is now set for a fascinating final this Sunday when Spain faces Ronaldo's Portugal at Munich's Allianz Arena. The Portuguese advanced after Ronaldo himself scored the winner in their 2-1 victory over Germany.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Will we see a teenage masterclass from Yamal or will the veteran Ronaldo remind everyone why he's considered one of the greatest ever?
