Scandal in Europe: Ronaldo’s shocking statement on Lamine Yamal
On the night of July 16, 2025, a filtering video unleashed a media storm in Europe, capturing the attention of football and media fans equally. In the center of the controversy is Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., the eldest son of the legendary Portuguese soccer player, who, during a live broadcast on the Rakai streaming channel, pronounced a few words about Lamine Yamal, the young star of Barcelona and the Spanish team. What seemed an innocent comment or even a praise towards the emerging talent of Yamal, only 18 years old, ended up generating a sepulchral silence in the study and unleashed a wave of reactions in social networks, from praise to criticisms on.
The incident occurred when Cristiano Jr. was asked about comparisons between his father, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lamine Yamal, who has been acclaimed as one of the greatest talents of the new generation of European football. Yamal, who has already conquered titles such as the Eurocup 2024, two LaLiga, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona, in addition to individual awards such as the Cáşu Bé Vàng and the Kopa Trophy, is considered a global phenomenon. However, Ronaldo Jr.’s words, although initially seemed to recognize Yamal’s ability, took an unexpected turn. According to reports, he said: “Lamine is very good, but has not yet won anything”, a phrase that, although nuanced, was interpreted by many as a direct challenge to the Spanish young people’s record compared to his father’s historical achievements.
The reaction in the study was immediate: an awkward silence seized the environment, while those present processed the comment. In social networks, Cristiano Jr.’s statement caused a whirlwind of opinions. Some users, as seen in publications in X, praised the confidence of the young man in his father’s achievements, highlighting that Ronaldo, with five gold balls, five Champions League and endless records, remains an incomparable figure. Others, however, criticized the apparent lack of respect for Yamal, arguing that comparing a teenager with a consolidated legend was unfair and out of place. An X user commented: “They are leaving CR’s son as a madman to say that his father is better than Yamal, when that comparison is a disrespect for Christian.”
This scandal adds to the narrative of rivalry between the generations representing Ronaldo and Yamal, one that had already been lit during the UEFA final Nations League 2024/2025, where Portugal, led by Ronaldo, defeated Spain in penalties. In that meeting, Yamal showed flashes of his talent, but his attitude when leaving the field without applauding while Ronaldo lifted the trophy generated criticism for his alleged lack of sportsmanship. The words of Ronaldo Jr. seem to have revived this tension, feeding the debate on respect between generations in football.
Beyond the stir, this episode reflects the weight that Ronaldo surname carries and the pressure on his children to defend his legacy. Cristiano Jr., 15, already shows an imposing physicist and trains at the Al Nassr Academy, where his father is captain. Although it is still far from reaching the professional level, your comment suggests a confidence reminiscent of your father’s competitive mentality. For its part, Yamal continues its meteoric ascent, consolidating itself as a pillar of Barcelona and Spain, with a future that promises great feats. This scandal, although momentary, emphasizes how football is not only a sport, but a scenario where emotions, legacies and rivalries intertwine, capturing the attention of the entire world.
