Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has fueled the rivalry ahead of the Clásico by openly accusing Real Madrid of ‘stealing’ and complaining, sparking widespread debate across Spain.
The stage for this weekend’s El Clásico has been dramatically set following highly provocative comments made by Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal directed at arch-rivals Real Madrid.
According to reporting from Get Spanish Football News, the 18-year-old winger accused the current La Liga leaders of benefiting from unfair advantages while simultaneously complaining about officiating.
The explosive comments came during an interview on The King’s League’s official YouTube channel, as cited by ESPN, where Yamal was explicitly asked if he believed Los Blancos ‘steal’ in Spanish football.
The player’s response was immediate and unequivocal, reigniting the intense rivalry only days before the season’s first derby at the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday.
Yamal, a key figure in Hansi Flick’s squad, did not mince words when giving his opinion on the club’s fierce rivals.
“Yes, they steal and then complain. That’s what they do,” the young star declared, leaving no room for interpretation regarding his position on Real Madrid’s conduct and perceived favouritism in the league.
Yamal’s incendiary remarks arrive at a crucial juncture for both Spanish giants. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid currently sit two points clear atop the La Liga table, maintaining a flawless home record this season.
A victory for Madrid would extend their advantage to five points, while a win for the reigning champions, Barcelona, would see them leapfrog their rivals to claim the summit.
The comments intensify a rivalry that was heavily skewed last term, with Barcelona dominating the Clásico to secure four wins from four meetings across all competitions.
While Real Madrid will be focused on avenging those results, including a 4-0 home defeat last October, Barcelona’s camp appears to be embracing the psychological battle.
The outcome of Sunday’s clash will determine early control of the Spanish title race, and Yamal’s deliberate dig ensures the atmosphere will be electrifying both on the pitch and in the stands.