(Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)

Ex-Real Madrid Star Blames Lamine Yamal’s Friends for El Clasico Fallout

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 5:24 PM ET

Lamine Yamal’s words before El Clásico turned the game into a real rivalry again. But now, the young star is feeling the side effects of accusing Real Madrid of cheating — and a former Los Blancos player believes he only said it because he was among friends at the time.

During a live stream on the Kings League, while chatting with host Ibai Llanos, Yamal compared Real Madrid to another team in the amateur indoor soccer league — and it reignited a flame that had been fading since the biggest names left both clubs.

“They steal, they complain… of course they do. Last time I went to the Bernabéu, we won 0–4,” Yamal said.

The impact of those comments was massive across the media, with several Real Madrid players reacting publicly before and after El Clásico.

Former Real Madrid and Napoli center-back Raúl Albiol said he believes Yamal only made those comments because he was relaxed among friends — but he still echoed the general sentiment shared by Madrid fans: you have to respect the club.

“Lamine’s words before the Clásico? You have to respect a club like Real Madrid — you can’t say that,” Albiol said. “It’s clear that it wasn’t right, but he got carried away by being among friends.”

️ | Raul Albiol on Lamine Yamal:

"It’s normal that he might make mistakes in some statements at certain points but he is one of the best in the world and everyone is closely watching everything he does and says.”

“He needs to be left alone a bit. He’s an 18-year-old kid." pic.twitter.com/Y8ps763ME2
— MatchdayHQ (@TheMatchdayHQ) October 29, 2025

Lamine Yamal May Have Broken the Spain National Team Locker Room

In the past, the Spain national team was mainly composed of Barcelona and Real Madrid players. But times have changed — now, there are more players from other La Liga clubs and from teams across Europe.

While Yamal is one of Spain’s main stars, names like Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen are also regular starters for both clubs and the national team.

On Tuesday, rumors surfaced claiming that Dani Carvajal could refuse to play for Spain if Yamal is in the squad. There’s no confirmation yet, but the two reportedly clashed at the end of El Clásico last Saturday.

Now, Barcelona have canceled a planned marketing appearance where Yamal was supposed to speak to the media, while Real Madrid is dealing with its own internal issue — Vinícius Jr.’s reaction after being subbed off with over 15 minutes left on the clock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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