Cristiano Ronaldo could not hide his delight after teenage sensation Lamine Yamal paid him a glowing tribute during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger was named Best Forward and Best Under-23 Player at the ceremony on Sunday, and his acceptance speech included a nod to the Portuguese legend.
When asked who he would like to be compared to, Yamal said: 'It's best not to compare yourself to anyone. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo did what they did because they wanted to be themselves. I want to build my own path.' The camera cut to Ronaldo, who smiled warmly alongside his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez.
Ronaldo, 40, also enjoyed a successful evening, collecting awards for Best Middle Eastern Player and Top Goalscorer of All Time. The former Manchester United forward has previously heaped praise on Yamal, calling him a 'phenomenon' and predicting he would become the best player of his generation.
The pair could meet on the pitch at next summer's World Cup, with Spain and Portugal potential rivals. Ronaldo backed Yamal to have a long, trophy-filled career, urging the public to 'leave him alone' to develop.
