Nations League final goes beyond Yamal-Ronaldo showdown

Spain prepare to defend their UEFA Nations League title against Portugal in the final on Sunday, with the clash highlighted by an inter-generational showdown between 17-year-old Lamine Yamal on Spain's side and 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.

Joao Neves of Portugal believes the game is more than this.

"I don't look at the game like that [Cristiano Ronaldo vs Yamal]," Neves said at a press conference on Friday. "I look at it as Portugal against Spain. It's not just Yamal in the Spanish team, they're very strong collectively. And so are we. It's not Cristiano, it's the national team ..."

Ronaldo's ability to play a key role for Portugal continues to impress. He scored the game-winner in their 2-1 victory over Germany in the semifinal and has remained in the first team throughout the campaign. Portugal also boast young talents in Neves, Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos who helped Paris Saint-Germain win their first UEFA Champions League title earlier this month.

On Spain's side, 17-year-old Yamal has just finished a remarkable season with Barcelona who won the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercup titles this season. He also scored twice in their 5-4 win over France in the Nations league semifinal.

"Obviously all the players have great respect for him, he is a football legend. I will do my job, which is to win and that's it," Yamal said when asked if he is motivated by the match up against Ronaldo.