Spain went to the UEFA Nations League final on Thursday after a spectacular 5-4 victory over France in their semi-final collision in Stuttgart. And as expected, Lamine Yamal was central to the victory for La Roja.
The 17-year-old scored twice during the victory, while he also won a penalty. It was another Big game performance from the Barcelona man, who thinks about the game when he spoke with the media (via MD).
“France is a great team, they let you suffer, it is normal. They are players who let you suffer until the end. But we are very happy with the victory. Portugal will be the same as this match, with world class players. We are very good teams and I hope to bring the nation competition back to Spain.”
Many saw the Spain-France match as decisive for the Ballon d'Or Race 2025, with Lamine Yamal rising against Ousmane Dembele-De Two is expected to be the leaders for the prize. And the teenager gave his opinion on the subject after the victory in Germany, which made him take a step forward.
“I always tell my mother, what motivates me and what I get up for in the morning is to play football. It is best to talk on the field. Dembele is a great player, but we are in the final.”
Lamine Yamal would certainly be a deserved winner of the Ballon d'Or from 2025, but it is still to be seen whether this competition had some influence on how voting will go. In the end, he and his Spain will only think of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday against Portugal, with the chance that there will be a third trophy in three years.