Luis de la Fuente says he brought off a ‘tired’ Lamine Yamal in Spain’s Nations League final defeat to Portugal as he needed to inject some ‘energy’ into his side. Sunday night’s showpiece had been widely billed as a meeting between five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Yamal – one of the frontrunners for this year’s prize.

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has urged fans and media to ease pressure on 17-year-old Lamine Yamal following Portugal’s Nations League win over Spain

Ronaldo, who won his third trophy with Portugal after the 2016 UEFA Euro and the 2021 edition of the Nations League, looked emotional at the end of the final against Spain and embraced Roberto Martinez after the match in celebration while celebrating with the Portugal supporters.