Lamine Yamal has shut down criticism of his post-game Copa del Rey comments, saying his detractors "can't say anything" while Barcelona are winning.

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• 17-year-old said Real "can't handle" Barca this season
• Yamal was speaking ahead of Champions League semi
• Barcelona winger: "I don't have any fear"

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The sensational young winger was speaking at a press conference ahead of the first leg of Barcelona's Champions League semi-final against Inter. A journalist asked whether Yamal cared that some in the media were calling him arrogant, after he said Real Madrid "can't handle" Barcelona this season. The Blaugrana snagged their third win over Los Blancos in 2024-25 with a 3-2 victory in Saturday's pulsating Copa del Rey final.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Showing remarkable confidence for his age, Yamal refused to back down, and suggested Madrid and their media outriders can't touch him until they beat Barcelona on the field. The young winger then demonstrated his iron-clad mentality by saying he feels no fear when he crosses the white line in these showpiece matches.

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  WHAT LAMINE YAMAL SAID

  Yamal said: "While I'm winning, they can't say anything. When they beat me, they can.

  "I don't have any fear, but I do feel that motivation and get those butterflies in my stomach before a game," he added when asked if he ever had vertigo before big matches. "I think that's a good thing. As for any fear, I left that behind in the park in Mataro [Yamal's hometown] a long time ago.

  "I wouldn't say I feel any pressure. The atmosphere at the Copa del Rey final, for example, is something to go out and enjoy. I don't view it as pressure."

• WHAT NEXT FOR LAMINE YAMAL?

  Saturday's victory was the first hurdle in Barca's tilt at the treble. Yamal will be a key player in the run-in as he and his team-mates chase La Liga and Champions League glory. He has contributed 14 goals and 24 assists in 2024-25 thus far.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News