LAMINE YAMAL
The price of being Lamine: quiet in Spain-Portugal final, now criticized
Published:9/06/2025 - 08:18h
Updated:9/06/2025 - 08:19h
At only 17 years old, Lamine Yamal is already receiving criticism after the final against Portugal. The price of talent?
It seems unreal how normalized it is that a young man of just 17 years old is a player who, as if he were a veteran, has to constantly stand up for his team and his national team. With no room to stumble or have a simply discreet encounter.
That, precisely, is what is happening to Lamine Yamal, who from some sectors (the 'haters' on duty) has been pointed out after his lackluster performance in Spain's defeat against Portugal in the final of the UEFA Nations League 2025, where his numbers were far from what a player who has spoiled everyone by chaining stellar performances one after another usually offers.
LAMINE YAMAL VS. PORTUGAL - UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE:
- Minutes played: 105’
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- Shots on goal: 2
- Shots off goal: 1
- Blocked shots: 1
- Dribbles attempted (completed): 2 (1)
- Accurate passes: 44/50 (88%)
- Key passes: 1
- Crosses (accurate): 5 (0)
- Long passes (accurate): 0 (0)
- Clear chances created: 1
- Ground duels (won): 17 (7)
- Aerial duels (won): 0 (0)
- Possessions lost: 21
- Fouls committed: 2
- Fouls received: 4
- Clearances: 0
- Blocked shots: 0
- Interceptions: 3
- Total tackles: 2
- Dribbled past: 2
Lamine Yamal's impact in previous finals with Barcelona and Spain
And yes, the '19' of FC Barcelona and 'La Roja', in his short career, has shown that he is not weighed down by the context of a final. Before the UEFA Nations League clash against Portugal, he had already left his mark in all the finals he had played:
- Euro 2024 - Final against England: one assist
- Copa del Rey 2024/25 - Final against Real Madrid: two assists
- Spanish Super Cup 2024/25 - Final against Real Madrid: one goal
However, in this last final, as his records show, Lamine Yamal did not have his best match. Is it justified? Perhaps, considering that he faced one of the best national teams in the world and had a direct duel with a player who is currently in the conversation to be one of the best in the world, such as Nuno Mendes.
Fair criticism or excessive demand for a star in the making?
It is valid to recognize that the forward has not had a commitment at the top of his level, strictly speaking? Yes. What perhaps does not admit greater justification is the excessive criticism of a player for having a game far from the top. Or is it common to see someone distribute at least one goal or assist in each game? Or even more, in each final? A demand that borders on the implausible, or not?
What is becoming clearer is that when certain sectors begin to rejoice in your falls —who have not had many opportunities to do so lately— it is because the player is on a very good path. It is a pattern that we have seen with superlative talents such as Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: accustomed to historical feats, but when their team/national team did not win, or they did not shine in their splendor, they were the first to be pointed out.
Cristiano Ronaldo's words that support Lamine Yamal after the defeat
For the moment, his detractors can celebrate this small setback in his nascent career. However, there is no doubt that he will return sooner rather than later, with the same impetus as someone who has already touched sporting glory and, like every player who takes his first steps, is thirsty for it.
Something that Cristiano Ronaldo himself recognized after the duel between Spaniards and Portuguese, who did not hesitate to praise the young talent: "He is going to win many titles, both collective and individual. He is only 17 years old... I repeat: he is a boy with a lot of room for improvement. He is a phenomenon, but we have to leave him alone, that is what I ask. He has a very long career ahead of him and he will surely win the League of Nations many times," commented the Portuguese star. Do you agree with what 'CR7' says? Time promises to prove him right.
