Barcelona president consoled distraught wonderkid after 4-2 loss to Athletic Club

Last night was a difficult one for FC Barcelona as they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage by Athletic Club following a 4-2 defeat away at San Mames.

The Catalans put up a good fight despite having had to make do with injuries and having youth players on the pitch. Ultimately, though, they ended up falling short of Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal was in the spotlight again and went through an emotional roller-coaster during the match.

From scoring a wonder goal to hand Barcelona the lead in the first period, to missing two gilt-edged chances in the second half to win it for his team, the youngster went from euphoria to agony.

Joan Laporta consoled Yamal

Given what went down and how things unfolded, Lamine Yamal was understandably distraught after the match, reports Mundo Deportivo.

It is claimed that the 16-year-old was in tears after losing at San Mames, and received support and encouragement from the manager and the entire dressing room.

Yamal missed two great chances vs Athletic. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

On top of that, Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself consoled the La Masia gem, the report states.

Unlike in the past, the president did not go to the dressing room after the match and was reportedly hurt and angry at the outcome.

But Laporta did catch up with the players near the team bus and consoled Yamal by hugging him and telling him that he had his entire career ahead of him and that he would be a vital player for Barcelona.

Encouragement for Xavi and the squad

Apart from interacting with Yamal and supporting him, Laporta is understood to have provided encouragement to manager Xavi Hernandez as well as the rest of the squad.

The president was disappointed by the outcome of the game but the report claims that he was proud of the image and the fight that the team had shown at San Mames.