(foto: Getty Images)
Lamine Yamal removed his medal and left the pitch during Portugal’s Nations League celebrations, declining to applaud Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates after Spain's painful final defeat.
Footage has gone viral showing Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal walking away and refusing to applaud Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal during their Nations League trophy lift, following Spain’s dramatic defeat in the final.
The 17-year-old endured a difficult evening at Munich’s Allianz Arena, where Spain were beaten on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw. Yamal was kept quiet by PSG full-back Nuno Mendes and was substituted at the start of extra time, visibly frustrated by the decision.
Spain’s squad remained on the pitch to show respect during the trophy ceremony, but Yamal removed his runners-up medal and headed straight for the dressing room as Ronaldo lifted the trophy in tears. The moment sparked debate across social media, with fans split over whether his actions were immature or simply the response of a fiercely competitive young talent.
Ronaldo, who left the match late due to injury, still managed to be at the centre of Portugal’s celebrations as they became the first team to win the Nations League twice. Yamal, meanwhile, ends an otherwise stellar season with three major trophies for Barcelona, but a sour international ending could hurt his Ballon d'Or chances this year.