Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal has found strong backing from within his camp after facing a wave of criticism following El Clasico’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid. The young winger became the center of post-match controversy due to his pre-game remarks that irked the Los Blancos squad and fans, drawing harsh reactions both on and off the field.
However, key Barcelona players, including Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo, have stepped forward to defend the 18-year-old, calling the backlash excessive and unfair.
Frenkie De Jong steps up in defense of Lamine Yamal
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong was quick to come to Yamal’s defense, criticizing Real Madrid’s players for their behavior after the final whistle. The Dutchman noted that several Madrid players immediately confronted the young winger when the game ended, escalating the situation unnecessarily.
“When the referee blew for full time, several Madrid players went straight for Lamine. It was over the top,” De Jong told reporters in the mixed zone.
The 28-year-old midfielder also addressed the exchange between Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal during the heated encounter, suggesting that the senior Madrid defender should have handled the matter differently.
“If Carvajal wanted to talk to him, he could’ve done it privately. Making gestures on the pitch just fuels the fire. Lamine never said Madrid cheats, I never heard that,” De Jong added, dismissing claims that the youngster disrespected the Spanish champions.
Ronald Araujo praises Yamal’s professionalism
Barcelona center-back Ronald Araujo also voiced his support for Yamal, praising the teenager’s maturity and professionalism despite the external noise surrounding him.
“He’s a great professional; he knows what he’s doing,” Araujo said, emphasizing that Lamine Yamal remains focused on his game despite the mounting criticism.
The Uruguayan defender, who recently netted a decisive goal against Girona, also shared his thoughts on Barcelona’s overall performance against Real Madrid.
“We’re sad, but we move on. There’s a long season ahead, and we trust the work we’re doing,” he stated, underlining the team’s determination to bounce back in the coming fixtures.
Unity within Barcelona camp
The unwavering support from senior teammates highlights the strong unity within the Barcelona squad, as they rally around their young star during a challenging moment. While Lamine Yamal’s comments may have drawn unwanted attention, the response from De Jong and Araujo reflects the club’s commitment to shielding its emerging talents from undue pressure.
With the season far from over, the focus now shifts back to performance on the pitch as Barcelona looks to regain momentum in La Liga and restore confidence after the narrow defeat at the Bernabeu.