Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Spain, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA Nations League
Ben McCrum
Topics: Football, Spain, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA Nations League
Fans have taken to social media to make a bold claim about Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or chances after Spain's loss to Portugal in the Nations League final.
On Sunday night, Spain and Portugal met in Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena for the highly-anticipated final of the 2024/25 Nations League final.
Goals from Martin Zubimendi, Nuno Mendes, Mikel Oyarzabal and Cristiano Ronaldo in normal time meant that the match went to extra-time.
After both sides failed to find the back of the net in the additional 30 minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout which Portugal won 5-4 after Alvaro Morata failed to score.
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However, it is not Morata that fans have called out online, as they've taken to social media to criticise Yamal for his performance on Sunday, and make a bold claim about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.
After enjoying a fantastic season with Barcelona, Yamal has been widely considered as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or this year alongside the likes of teammate Raphinha, Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
But after he failed to impress during the Nations League final, struggling to get past PSG defender Nuno Mendes, some fans have claimed that his chances of winning the prestigious award have disappeared.
Posting on X, one fan wrote: “Ballon Dor elect” Yamal hooked and outshined by “finished” 40 year old Ronaldo."
While another agreed, adding: "No Yamal Ballon D'Or shouts anymore."
One referenced the iconic image of a young Yamal with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, writing: "16 years ago Messi bathed Lamine Yamal but tonight Ronaldo washed him."
While another claimed that the match gave an insight into how a Champions League final between Barcelona and PSG would have played out, stating: "The way Nuno Mendes is dealing with Yamal, Barca would’ve held belt to PSG in the UCL final."
The result means that Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League title for the second time, having also won in 2019 during the tournament's inaugural edition.
It adds yet another trophy to the cabinet of captain Ronaldo, who was reduced to tears once teammate Ruben Neves' winning penalty hit the back of the net.