Lamine Yamal addresses being racially abused during El Clasico – ‘Fans saying nonsense doesn’t matter to me’

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal spoke out after leaving the Ballon d’Or gala in Paris, addressing the racist insults directed at him during the recent El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

In the high-stakes game where Barcelona triumphed 4-0 against Real Madrid, Yamal found himself the target of offensive gestures and comments from a section of the Madrid fans while celebrating his first Clasico goal. 

At just 17, the promising youth player chose not to dwell on the negativity, showing remarkable maturity in his response. He brushed off the hateful comments, viewing them as a twisted sign of success on the pitch.

“Insults at the Bernabeu? I’m the one on the pitch, I’m only focused on the pitch The fans saying nonsense doesn’t matter to me,” he said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the story

During the game, Yamal’s composure was tested as he faced taunts from the stands. This incident, along with videos capturing the insults, soon went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism and support for the young player. 

Lamine Yamal was abused during the El Clasico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, Yamal maintained his calm under pressure, and despite not having an extraordinary game up until that point, he made a statement with his 77th-minute goal. 

The response to these disturbing incidents was swift. Real Madrid quickly issued a strong statement, condemning the behaviour of those involved. The club, along with La Liga, has pledged to take action. 

La Liga, which has a dedicated platform to report and investigate such incidents, received several complaints related to the racist actions directed at Yamal. 

Madrid have already taken steps to identify the individuals responsible for the offensive gestures, aiming to address the incident with the seriousness it deserves. 

For Yamal, this moment marks both a proud achievement and a harsh reminder of the challenges that come with his rising profile in football. Yet, his calm response sends a powerful message about his resilience.