Yamal s joke caused an uproar. Are these "adults" really responsible?

The smoke of the 2025 El Clasico has not yet cleared, but 18-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has already been caught in a storm of public opinion. The cause was just a few jokes in a live broadcast before the game, but in just 48 hours, he went from a highly anticipated talented boy to a target of "arrogant provocation". However, what is really worth pondering may not be the outspoken words of an 18-year-old boy, but the "adults" who were supposed to protect him - they collectively failed in their duties and even personally pushed him to the forefront.

How can an unintentional remark set off huge waves?

Two days before the derby, Yamal was invited to participate in the live broadcast of the "Kings League" founded by former Barcelona star Pique. This is an online event mainly for entertainment, and most of the participants are anchors and amateur players. But as Barcelona's most high-profile rising star at the moment, Yamal's public appearance on the eve of the national derby is already full of risks.

During the live broadcast, when asked whether host Ibai's team "Porcinos" was like Real Madrid, Yamal said half-jokingly: "Are you saying they like to steal and complain?" When the other party asked, "Are you talking about Real Madrid?", he immediately waved his hand to clarify: "Wait, I didn't say that..." - This was clearly a teenager's instinctive reaction after realizing the gaffe.

However, the live broadcast cannot be withdrawn. In just a few hours, the pro-Real Madrid media quickly packaged this sentence as "Yamal publicly humiliated Real Madrid" and hyped it up. A harmless joke was infinitely magnified into "provocation" and "arrogance", instantly igniting the powder keg before the game.

"Retaliation" on the court: adults' suppression of teenagers

On October 26, the battle at the Bernabeu began. Yamal played through injury and performed positively. He also gave Conde an excellent opportunity, but unfortunately the latter failed to grasp it. In the end, Real Madrid won 2-1, but the aftermath of the game had just begun.

After the game, Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal—the player who was supposed to be Yamal’s “big brother” in the Spanish national team—walked up to him, pointed his finger at his mouth, and said with a sneer: “Weren’t you pretty good at talking before?” This move instantly intensified the conflict, triggering a large-scale conflict between players from both sides. The situation once got out of control and even required police intervention.

An 18-year-old boy tried his best on the field, but was "besieged" after the game because of a joke. The person who took the lead was the "adult" who was supposed to lead by example.

Who is responsible for this storm?

1. Pique: From "legend" to "promoter"

As the founder of the "King's League", Pique personally invited Yamal to participate. He knows better than anyone that every word spoken before the El Clasico can be misinterpreted. But he still chose to push his young teammate into the spotlight just to attract traffic to his entertainment program.

After the storm broke out, anchor Ibai Llanos took the initiative to apologize: "I am also responsible." However, Pique remained silent and even argued that "Yamal was right." A man who once announced his intention to run for president of Barcelona sacrifices the future star of the club in order to promote his own business projects. This is not only a dereliction of duty, but also a naked use.

2. Mendes: Silent "Super Agent"

Jorge Mendes, one of the most famous agents in football, has represented top stars such as Ronaldo and Mourinho. He was supposed to be Yamal's "protective umbrella" to prevent young players from getting involved in sensitive incidents.

But where was Mendes when Yamal was pushed onto the live broadcast stage? His silence exposed a cruel reality: in the face of commercial interests, the growth and safety of young players are often placed in a secondary position.

3. Flick: an indifferent "outsider"

When asked about Yamal's off-field activities, Barcelona coach Flick responded lightly: "It's not my business." For an ordinary player, this may be said. But Yamal is an 18-year-old genius, the face of Barcelona and the future of Spanish football.

Flick was known for his strict management of the military at Bayern, but at Barcelona, ​​he allowed young players to behave freely. As a coach, he should have alerted his players to the occasion rather than staying out of it afterwards.

4. Carvajal: The "leader" who should least take action

As the captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish international, Carvajal should have been a role model. He once publicly stated: "Yamal needs to be protected. The pressure of top football may crush him." However, at the Bernabeu, it was he who took the lead in mocking and provoking the teenager.

This behavior is not only narrow-minded, but also violates his identity as the leader of the team and the core of the national team. Against the backdrop of the Spanish national team's triumph, he should have been bridging the rift between Madrid and Barcelona rather than tearing it apart with his own hands.

Yamal did say something wrong, but the mistake made by the 18-year-old should have been the tuition for growth, rather than a "crime" that was infinitely magnified and criticized verbally and verbally. What he needs is guidance, education and protection, not encirclement and suppression from all sides.

What is truly heartbreaking is not a joke, but that when the storm came, all the "adults" who were supposed to protect him - Pique, Mendes, Flick, Carvajal - chose to be silent, take advantage, and even make matters worse.