Iniesta makes a surprising comment about Lamine Yamal's 'bold' statement

25/10/2025 12:27:00 esportapi

Lamine Yamal's remark "Real both cheats and complains" stirred up the Spanish media, but Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta defended the youngster, saying it was just a "spice" before the El Clasico match.

Ahead of the classic showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Lamine Yamal unexpectedly became the center of attention with a controversial comment during a chat with popular streamer Ibai Llanos. When asked about the referee tensions between the two teams, the 18-year-old Barca star bluntly said: “Real both cheats and complains; they do things I just can't understand.”

This statement immediately triggered a strong reaction from Real Madrid. Some Real players even viewed it as an unnecessary provocation, especially with El Clasico just days away. Meanwhile, Real's coaching staff considered the comment as a "motivational boost" for their players ahead of the big match at Bernabeu.

Inside Barcelona, although some coaching staff admitted the comment was "unwise," the club did not punish Yamal. Despite being only 18, he is a brand ambassador and pride of La Masia, so any move involving him draws special media attention.

Yamal's comments about Real Madrid have sparked widespread outrage

Amid the media storm, Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta spoke out in defense of the young player. At an event reported by Mundo Deportivo, Iniesta said: “It’s just a comment to add some spice to El Clasico. Whether it’s there or not, this match is always special and spectacular. What matters is what happens in the 90 minutes on the pitch.”

The former Barca captain also emphasized that El Clasico goes far beyond any external remarks: “People can say whatever before the game, but when the ball starts rolling, what remains is the players' performance. El Clasico is always the greatest match.”

Iniesta believes Yamal’s words are merely “spices” that add drama to El Clasico

Iniesta’s statement is seen as a move to ease some of the tension before the big clash. He also praised Barcelona’s young generation, especially Pedri — regarded as the heir to the intelligent and composed playing style that Iniesta himself once displayed.

From a spontaneous remark, Lamine Yamal inadvertently sparked a “media storm” before El Clasico. But with the support of the respected senior Iniesta, the young star will likely learn to be more restrained and focus on showcasing his talent on the field — where goals and shining moments are the strongest responses.

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