Lamine Yamal Shares Thoughts on Upcoming World Cup 2026 Matchup Against Cristiano Ronaldo in Knockout Stage

As Spain prepares to face Portugal in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, winger Lamine Yamal has expressed his eagerness to compete against Cristiano Ronaldo, considering it a great privilege.

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Yamal's comments came after Spain's victory over Austria in the Round of 32, a win that secured their spot in the last 16, with the 18-year-old winger playing a key role in the team's success.

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Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia set the stage for their upcoming match against Spain, and Yamal acknowledged that he is looking forward to the challenge, while maintaining that his primary focus remains on helping his team advance.

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When asked about the prospect of facing Portugal, Yamal stated, "Well, I don’t really care – Croatia or Portugal," emphasizing that his priority is winning the game, rather than the opponent.

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He further elaborated, "It would be an honour, obviously, to play against Cristiano, but I am focused on winning the game, and I don’t really care who advances between the two of them," as quoted via DAZN.

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Spain and Portugal are set to clash in the Round of 16 on Monday, with the winner earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

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Portugal's place in the Round of 16 was confirmed after they defeated Croatia 2-1 in the Round of 32, setting the stage for their highly anticipated match against Spain.