Lamine Yamal’s comments related to Real Madrid mainly fall into three categories: pre-derby teasing, post-match responses, and a clear stance on transfers. He once joked on an entertainment show that Real Madrid “steal and complain,” responded competitively after El Clásico matches, and repeatedly stated that he would never join Real Madrid. All of these remarks are rooted in the century-long rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, rather than being unprovoked provocations.
Key Statements Explained by Scenario
Teasing on an Entertainment Show Before El Clásico
In October 2025, with only 72 hours remaining before El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Yamal was invited to appear on Chup Chup, a live streaming show under the Kings League created by former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué. The host was Ibai Llanos, a well-known Real Madrid supporter, and their conversation unexpectedly sparked controversy.
Yamal was asked whether Porcinos FC (Ibai’s team) was similar to Real Madrid. He replied sharply:
“Yes, they steal, they complain, they do things I don’t know…”
while making a gesture suggesting “stealing.” When Ibai pressed further, asking, “Does Madrid steal?”, Yamal nodded and said:
“A ver… let’s see, let’s see…”
Piqué, who was beside him, also joined in, saying that “there’s nothing to argue about,” which further amplified the controversy.
In addition, Yamal mocked Real Madrid’s poor recent results against Barcelona. Recalling that he had scored at the Santiago Bernabéu before, he said:
“I’ve already scored there, don’t you remember?”
This was a reference to Barcelona’s 4–0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, and his words reflected the sharp confidence typical of a young player.
It should be made clear that these remarks were not made at an official press conference, but in a relaxed entertainment livestream, with a joking and playful tone among acquaintances. However, because they touched on the sensitive Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry, the clips spread quickly after being edited and shared online, triggering dissatisfaction among Real Madrid fans and within their dressing room. Some Real Madrid players labeled the comments as “stupid” and “disrespectful,” arguing that the word “steal” crossed a line of respect toward the club.
Post-Match Response After El Clásico
On October 26, 2025, Barcelona lost 1–2 to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. After the match, a small confrontation broke out between players from both sides. Yamal was involved in a verbal exchange with Real Madrid players such as Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior. One sentence he said during the clash was initially misreported, leading to further controversy.
Early media reports claimed that Yamal said “See you in the tunnel,” which was interpreted as a threat of physical confrontation. However, Spain’s authoritative sports broadcaster Cadena SER later clarified the situation and revealed Yamal’s actual words:
“See you in the return leg.”
In context, this was not a personal provocation, but purely a competitive statement—referring to the next El Clásico at Camp Nou. Yamal was expressing the idea of responding on the pitch and seeking revenge at home.
According to reports, the confrontation was triggered after Carvajal had previously gestured that Yamal was “talking too much,” which led to the verbal exchange. Carvajal later stated that he would speak to Yamal privately as a “big brother,” focusing on guidance rather than punishment, in order to prevent the situation from escalating further.
A Clear and Firm Refusal to Join Real Madrid
Beyond the derby-related controversies, Yamal has repeatedly and clearly stated in public interviews that he would never join Real Madrid, and his position has remained firm and consistent.
In February 2025, during an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Yamal was asked how he would respond if Real Madrid made an offer. He answered directly:
“No. Never. Impossible.”
He added that he felt very comfortable at Barcelona, was focused on playing for the team, and did not care about so-called “superstar” status.
In June of the same year, while attending the Spanish national team training camp, Yamal was again asked by COPE Radio about the possibility of joining Real Madrid. He gave the same decisive response:
“No. Never. Impossible.”
He once again reaffirmed his loyalty to Barcelona. There were also reports that Real Madrid had inquired about Yamal through intermediaries, but were clearly informed that “there is no possibility of the player joining.” If Yamal were to leave Barcelona in the future, he would prefer a move outside Spain rather than joining their city rivals Real Madrid.
Chain Reactions Triggered by the Comments
Yamal’s teasing remarks on Chup Chup not only angered Real Madrid fans, but also drew criticism from former referees and media figures. Former Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde González pointed out on Cadena SER that the word “steal” in a football context almost implies winning through improper means, which could easily mislead young fans. Commentator Javier Herráez also stated that legends such as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never made such comments before El Clásico, and that Yamal had not yet learned how to control his emotions.
Catalan media defended Yamal, arguing that “a joke by a 17-year-old should not be exaggerated,” while Madrid-based newspaper Marca published a sharp criticism under the headline:
“Yamal’s mouth adds fuel to the fire for Real Madrid.”
A poll conducted by Relevo among 100,000 fans showed that 62% believed Yamal should publicly apologize, 28% felt Real Madrid had overreacted, and 10% remained neutral—highlighting the deep division among fans over the issue.
Notably, the controversy also affected the Spanish national team. At the time, there were only two weeks left before Spain assembled for World Cup qualifiers, and the squad was evenly split between Barcelona-affiliated and Real Madrid-affiliated players. Head coach Luis de la Fuente urgently contacted both sides, emphasizing that “club rivalries must stay outside the national team dressing room” to avoid harming Spain’s qualification campaign. The subsequent conversation between Carvajal and Yamal was widely seen as a key step in calming tensions and preserving team unity.
Summary Table of Key Information
| Time | Scenario | Key Statement (Original) | Source / Clarification |
| February 2025 | Mundo Deportivo interview | “No. Never. Impossible.” | Mundo Deportivo |
| June 2025 | COPE Radio interview | “No. Never. Impossible.” | COPE Radio |
| October 2025 | Chup Chup livestream | “Yes, they steal, they complain, they do things I don’t know…” | Kings League – Chup Chup |
| October 2025 | Post-El Clásico clash | “See you in the return leg” | Cadena SER (clarification) |
Key Details to Avoid Misunderstanding
First, Yamal’s teasing remarks were not aimed at the entire Real Madrid squad. They were made in an entertainment program, reacting to controversial refereeing decisions involving the host’s team, and were meant as playful banter rather than malicious accusations. However, because the Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry is extremely sensitive, the comments were over-interpreted.
Second, the misreporting of Yamal’s post-match words was mainly due to the chaotic scene during the confrontation. As a highly authoritative Spanish sports outlet, Cadena SER’s clarification carries strong credibility and clearly rules out any intention of physical provocation.
Third, Yamal’s repeated refusal to join Real Madrid is essentially rooted in his loyalty to Barcelona. As a product of La Masia, his stance is consistent with the traditional position of Barcelona players toward their city rivals, rather than being a personal attack on Real Madrid.
In addition, Yamal was only 18 years old at the time. As a rapidly rising star, his words naturally carried some youthful sharpness. While there were inappropriate elements, they also reflected his competitive confidence. He later chose to respond through his performances on the pitch and did not make further controversial statements, showing that he has gradually learned to better control his public comments while balancing performance and discretion.