At a glance
- DAZN Espana cameras caught FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal allegedly venting frustration after being brought off in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
- In similar scenes we’ve witnessed from Real Madrid rival Vinicius Jr., Lamine appeared to say: “Always me!”
- MARCA said it’s not the first time the teenager has displayed anger after not agreeing with one of Flick’s decisions, but some fans have pointed out that they have tried to twist Lamine’s words.
A DAZN Espana clip has shown FC Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal saying “Always me” after being brought off against Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, with MARCA also explaining that it illustrates the youngster’s frustration in relation to the development.
As a community note on X highlights, however, as well as many other Culers in the comments section, the footage has perhaps been manipulated because Lamine had instead aimed his comments at the referee’s performance.
Lamine wasn’t on top form for FC Barcelona against Rayo
ReadBarcelona was in attendance for the 1-0 win over the Madrid club, which was made possible by a header from defender Ronald Araujo on 24 minutes and a string of top saves from MVP goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Regardless of what Lamine truly meant or said, one thing that we can all agree on is that the attacking line consisting of the whizzkid, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha wasn’t up to much.
They all got on the scoresheet in the 7-2 thrashing of Newcastle United in the Champions League last 16 second leg at the same ground a few days prior, but didn’t hit their usual heights against lower-table Rayo.
Whoscored? gave Lamine a 6.9 rating for his sub-par display, which consisted of 75% passing accuracy and just three dribbles well below his usual impressive stats.
Still Lamine thought he should continue for FC Barcelona
Because of this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Lamine didn’t like being brought off in the 82nd minute for Marcus Rashford.
As DAZN showed in a short social media clip, Lamine walked towards the bench saying “Always me… Oh my god, it’s crazy”, and repeated such words several times.
He received a pat on the back from Flick and high-fived Dr. Pruna, but Lamine had to be calmed down by assistant coach Arnau Blanco before taking a seat between his fellow La Masia Class of 2007 graduates Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez.
Now the jury is out on whether Lamine fired his remarks at Flick or match official Adrián Cordero Vega.
This isn’t the first time FC Barcelona’s wonderkid has shown disdain
Because we’ve been here before with Lamine, who has shown his unhappiness before with changes, it is easy for DAZN and MARCA to run with such a story in a land where the polemica, or controversy, always sells.
However it is framed to Flick, though, you can guarantee that the German will be the diplomat looking to play down any storm in a tea cup.
He’s had his own outbursts in reaction to officiating displays but has later apologised. And were Lamine’s reaction indeed be in reponse to being brought off, his manager would repeat the party line that there are other Barça players who work hard to have their opportunities which must be distributed accordingly.
Lamine is now off with the Spain national team for friendlies against Egypt and Serbia where he can switch off from the goings on at Can Barça and the 24/7 club football media machine.
Yet when he comes back to the Spotify Camp Nou, Flick will have to remind the Ballon d’Or runner up to be careful, as the Blaugrana have crucial fixtures such as El Clasico and a two-legged Champions League quarterfinal showdown with Atletico Madrid on the horizon where there can’t be distractions.
