When Cristiano Ronaldo made that tackle on Lamine Yamal, my heart genuinely skipped a beat. For a moment, I forgot to breathe. It wasn’t just the tension of the match or the speed of the challenge—it was the fact that my footballing GOAT, the legend himself, was risking it all against a fearless 16-year-old wonderkid who clearly doesn’t care about reputation, legacy, or the Ballon d’Or count.
Let’s be honest: Lamine Yamal might still be a teenager, but he’s no ordinary youngster. The confidence he plays with, the boldness in every touch, the quick feet—this kid doesn’t just play like he’s been on the world stage for years, he plays like he owns it. And when someone like that sees a veteran like Ronaldo coming at him, he’s not going to shy away. He’s going to square up, drop a shoulder, and maybe even slide the ball right through your legs.
And that’s exactly what I’m scared of.
I’ve watched Ronaldo my entire life. I’ve celebrated his hat-tricks, defended his legacy in endless debates, and watched him achieve greatness at every level of football imaginable. To me, he’s untouchable. But the reality is, football waits for no one. The new generation is here, and they aren’t showing respect the way players used to when facing legends. Lamine Yamal is part of that new wave, and I can already tell—he’s got no problem making a name for himself, even if it comes at the expense of football royalty.
So when I saw Ronaldo charging at Yamal for that tackle, my brain screamed: “No, don’t do it!” Not because I thought he’d injure the kid, but because I had flashbacks of Ronaldinho, Messi, Neymar, and now this boy, Yamal, disrespecting defenders with skills that make you want to hide under your shirt. A nutmeg from someone like Yamal isn’t just a trick—it’s a statement. It’s going viral, it’s going in edits, it’s becoming a meme—and I cannot bear to see my GOAT end up on the wrong side of football TikTok.
Of course, Ronaldo is still a beast. His hunger, physique, and mindset remain unmatched. But the speed of these young attackers is ridiculous, and Yamal in particular has that combination of fearlessness and flair that makes him unpredictable. That’s dangerous for any defender, even someone with Ronaldo’s experience and athleticism.
Look, I get it—Ronaldo is still competitive, and he’s never been one to back down from a challenge. But as someone who adores him, I’m begging: let’s not tempt fate. Let the defenders do the tackling. Let Ronaldo stay up top, score goals, and keep his legacy intact—without risking an embarrassing moment at the feet of a teenager who wasn’t even born when Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or.
All love and respect to Lamine Yamal, but I don’t want to see him make history by humiliating my GOAT. Keep your ankles safe, Ronaldo.
