Spain Starlet Lamine Yamal said that Sunday's Nations League final against Portugal would give him the chance to “prove who I am” after he helped his side past France in the semi -final on Thursday.
Yamal scored twice and was mentioned on Thursday the man of the match in a 5-4 victory over the French in Stuttgart, which sealed the progress to the Nations League final of this weekend against their Iberian rivals.
A late French flowering obscured the dominance of Spain, sailing with La Roja at 5-1 before they dropped their intensity, allowing France to score three late goals.
As they did last season on the way to winning Euro 2024 in Germany, the success of Spain was built on the base of Wingers Yamal and Nico Williams.
Williams, who got his own goal and set up another, was a man of the game in the 2-1 euro 2024 last victory over England.
Thursday's victory will place 2021 Nations League winners against Portugal, who won the competition in 2019.
“It is a special match, a final against a great team gives us extra motivation,” Yamal told reporters.
“This is the kind of game I want to play, to prove who I am.”
Only 17 will compete against Portugal veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, who is his senior for 23 years.
“He is a football legend,” said Yamal.
“Like all players, I have enormous respect for Cristiano.
“I will try to win my job, and that's it,” he added.
Spain -coach Luis de la Fuente said that fans would see and add “two super powerful teams on Sunday” This could be a World Cup Final.
“We play against one of the greats: Cristiano Ronaldo. Only his name stands out – I have unlimited admiration for him.
“It's really great to see a player at his age to keep playing and being fit as he is. I admire him very much.”
Mikel Merino, another Spanish goal scorer on Thursday, was confident.
“It's not our first final,” he said.
“Munich brings us amazing memories from the European Championship.
“I am very happy to be in a different final, is a huge achievement and hopefully we can win again.”