In the pantheon of football greats, two names have transcended eras, countries, and records — Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With careers that have spanned two decades, both icons have left indelible marks on the game through their relentless pursuit of excellence at both club and international levels.

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine internationally after leading Portugal to the 2025 UEFA Nations League title, making them the winningest team in the tournament. After claiming his third trophy with the national team,

Ronaldo, 40, is 23 years older than Yamal, 17, but Yamal's international résumé already stacks up well against one of the greatest strikers of all time. Here's an in-depth look at the two stars of the UEFA Nations League final: