Tensions are soaring ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico as several Real Madrid players have reportedly grown frustrated with Barcelona’s teenage star, Lamine Yamal, following his provocative comments about the club.
According to Marca, multiple Madrid players are “fed up” with the 18-year-old winger’s behaviour, accusing him of showing “a lack of respect and maturity.”
The situation, sources say, has added extra heat to what was already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the La Liga season.
The controversy began after Yamal made controversial statements during a Twitch livestream with former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué and popular streamer Ibai Llanos, where he accused Madrid of “stealing and complaining.”
His words quickly spread across social media, igniting outrage within the Los Blancos camp.
During the stream, Yamal said, “They steal, they complain, and they do things…” When pressed by Llanos, a Madrid supporter, on what he meant by “steal,” Yamal laughed and avoided giving a direct answer.
However, the implication was enough to stir tension ahead of the high-stakes fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu.
One unnamed source close to the team told Marca that Yamal’s off-field conduct has now “crossed a line,” further motivating the squad to silence their rivals on the pitch.
Moreover, this is not Yamal’s first time drawing the ire of Madrid supporters.
In May, after scoring a crucial equaliser against Real Madrid, the winger mocked Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “calma” celebration before switching to Kylian Mbappé’s trademark pose.
Earlier this year, following Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory their fourth consecutive win over Madrid that season Yamal declared, “This year, they simply can’t beat us. We’ve proven that. Visca Barça!”
Meanwhile, Madrid, led by Xabi Alonso, currently sit two points clear at the top of the La Liga table, having lost just once all season.
Barcelona, under new manager Hansi Flick, are close behind and could leapfrog their rivals with a win on Sunday.
Just days before El Clasico, an unexpected controversy has emerged involving Barcelona’s young forward Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid.
The atmosphere surrounding Spain’s biggest football rivalry has grown tense after comments from Yamal were perceived as disrespectful by Los Blancos.
During an appearance on the Kings League broadcast with Ibai Llanos and Gerard Piqué on Thursday, Yamal was asked if Llanos’ team, Porcinos FC, reminded him of Real Madrid.
The 17-year-old responded with a smile, saying, “Yes, of course… They steal and complain.”
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo on Friday, Real Madrid are planning to address the situation through their captain.
“From the club, there is an intention to speak with the Barcelona player,” the outlet reported. “It will be Real Madrid captain Daniel Carvajal who does so once the match concludes next Sunday at Santiago Bernabéu.”
The decision suggests that Madrid prefer to resolve the matter internally rather than escalate tensions further before the match.
However, fans are eager to see how both players interact during the game, which is expected to attract millions of viewers worldwide.
Moreover, there will be no prior meeting between the two before kick-off, meaning the first encounter could unfold directly on the pitch under the spotlight of El Clasico controversy .
The issue may also extend beyond club rivalries. Reports indicate that Real Madrid players are worried about how Yamal’s words might affect unity within the Spain national team.
“At Madrid, they understand that these words from the Barcelona player put at risk the great harmony that exists in the Spain national team,” Mundo Deportivo added.
Yamal has been a key part of the national squad alongside Barcelona teammates Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres, while Carvajal recently returned after recovering from injury.
This Sunday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabéu will be Yamal’s eighth appearance against Real Madrid in his professional career.
In previous meetings across La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España, he has scored three goals and provided two assists, with Barcelona winning four and losing three of those encounters.
