Madrid Fans Vow to Whistle Barcelona’s Yamal at El Clásico
Real Madrid supporters have announced plans to greet Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal with sustained whistles and boos at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, raising tensions ahead of the Clásico clash. The protest is slated to begin as soon as Yamal’s name is announced over the stadium PA, in response to recent comments by the 18-year-old that have infuriated Madrid’s camp.
Yamal sparked outrage when, during a lighthearted Kings League TV show appearance, he was asked whether Ibai Llanos’s “Porcinos FC” (his Kings League team) is like Real Madrid. “Of course, yes… they steal, they complain,” he replied with a laugh. Madrid players and fans took the comment as a direct taunt. According to reports citing club sources, several Real stars – including captain Dani Carvajal – were angered by Yamal’s words, calling them “a lack of respect” and describing the insult as “unnecessary” and “immature”.
The fallout has been widespread. Real’s locker-room reacted strongly: one insider told Spanish media that the squad interpreted Yamal’s jab as “una falta de respeto,” and some veteran players felt he “does not know the codes of professional respect”. Carvajal himself has said he intends to speak with Yamal after the match to convey the team’s displeasure. “The general feeling from the Real Madrid players” is that Yamal’s remark was “disrespectful” and even “idiocy,” according to Football Espana. Beyond the club, national team colleagues of Yamal who play for Madrid (such as Carvajal and Dean Huijsen) were reportedly surprised at his lack of prudence and left training sessions “bad feelings” over the incident.
Neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona has officially weighed in on the fan-led whistling campaign. Real’s only public statements have concerned earlier incidents of crowd abuse: after last season’s 4-0 Clasico win by Barcelona (in which Yamal scored), Real announced an investigation into racist chants aimed at Yamal and teammate Raphinha. In that statement, the club “strongly condemned” all racist behaviour and said it “deeply regrets” the insults uttered by a few fans. La Liga likewise promised to report any discriminatory abuse to the authorities. Barcelona has downplayed Yamal’s comments as a tongue-in-cheek joke in a relaxed setting, but Madrid media say the timing of the remark – days before this high-stakes fixture – has only stoked the rivalry.
This Sunday’s match takes on extra significance in a tight title race. Barcelona, the defending LaLiga champion, arrives at the Bernabéu two points behind Real Madrid at the top of the table. It will be Xabi Alonso’s first Clásico as Madrid coach and features stars like Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski. With the hosts determined to assert their dominance at home and Barça eager to cut the gap, the stage is set for a fiery encounter. “Sunday’s clash…promises to deliver fireworks,” noted beIN Sports, observing that Yamal’s comments have “added extra spice to an already heated buildup”.
