Billed as 'galaxies colliding' with Ronaldo facing the 17-year-old star Yamal, it was the legendary forward who scored and lifted the trophy

Cristiano Ronaldo lifted a trophy. Lamine Yamal lifted eyebrows. One ended in tears of joy, the other in silent frustration.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Lamine Yamal as a “phenomenon” while calling for the football world to “leave him alone”. Ronaldo, whose Portugal side beat Yamal’s Spain on penalties in the Nations League final on Sunday, was full of praise for the 17-year-old, who started in both the semi-final and final.