Cristiano Ronaldo could not hide his approval as Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal paid him a significant compliment during a major awards ceremony in Dubai.
Mutual Respect on Display at Star-Studded Ceremony
The scene unfolded at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards, where Ronaldo watched from the front row alongside his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez. The evening belonged in large part to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who enjoyed a remarkable night, clinching the awards for Best Forward and Best U23 Men's Player.
Yamal's stellar year with Barcelona, which included winning the La Liga title among three trophies, was rightly recognised. However, it was his gracious words when asked about comparisons to legends that truly captured the audience's attention.
Yamal's Wise Words and Ronaldo's Telling Reaction
"In the end, it's best not to compare yourself to anyone," the young Spaniard stated. "Players like Cristiano Ronaldo did what they did because they wanted to be themselves and not compare themselves to others. I want to build my own path."
As Yamal spoke, the camera cut to Ronaldo. The Al-Nassr striker, a multiple award-winner himself on the night, responded with a broad, appreciative smile, visibly flattered by the youngster's respectful nod to his legacy.
A History of Praise and Future Battles
This public moment of respect is built on a foundation Ronaldo himself laid. Ahead of the Nations League final in June, where his Portugal side defeated Yamal's Spain on penalties, Ronaldo had already hailed the Barcelona winger as a "phenomenon."
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner urged people to "leave him alone" to develop, predicting Yamal would win "a lot of titles, both collective and individual." Ronaldo later doubled down on this praise on his YouTube channel, stating he believed Yamal had the potential to be "the best player of this new generation."
Ronaldo also enjoyed personal success at the Dubai ceremony, picking up the awards for Best Middle Eastern Player and Top Goalscorer of All Time.
The next highly anticipated chapter in their cross-generational story could be written at next summer's World Cup. Spain, the reigning European champions with Yamal in their ranks, and Portugal, with Ronaldo seeking a final shot at football's ultimate prize, are both expected to be among the favourites.
