In the tenth round of La Liga, Real Madrid came out on top against archrivals Barcelona, securing a 2–1 victory. Following the match, Spanish outlet Marca published a feature piece focusing on Lamine Yamal, reflecting on both his performance and his conduct off the pitch — and the lessons he still needs to learn at the dawn of his career.
Marca: Talent Alone Is Never Enough
Marca wrote:
“Yamal is beginning to grasp the unwritten rules of football. Talent on its own doesn’t guarantee success; a player must also know when to speak and what to say. In a sport ruled by cameras and headlines, every word carries weight — often more than one realizes.”
The Bernabéu Turns Against Yamal
The article noted that Yamal endured a rough evening at the Santiago Bernabéu, where every touch of the ball was met with loud boos. Real Madrid’s players, it said, were clearly prepared — using their performance to respond to his controversial comment earlier in the week that “Madrid always steals.” The reaction from both the crowd and the opposition was a clear reminder of how fast words can come back to haunt a player.
When Words Become Traps
Marca continued:
“Words travel fast — especially in an age of open microphones and social media. For a moment of attention, a few so-called ‘friends’ encouraged him to say what he shouldn’t have. They used him as a pawn, and he fell straight into the trap. The result? He faced the anger of an entire stadium.”
Messi Never Needed to Speak Loudly
The article drew a pointed comparison with Lionel Messi, Yamal’s idol:
“Messi was never greeted with such hostility at the Bernabéu. He was wiser — knowing that the best response is always on the pitch. He spoke through his football: through goals, assists, and brilliance, not through sound bites.”
A Lesson in Maturity
Marca concluded with a note of advice:
“Yamal is only 18 — immensely talented, with a future full of promise. But now he must slow down, listen to those who truly care about him, and realize that success is measured not just by goals and assists, but by maturity and composure. In football, as in life, it’s not enough to be a great player; you must also strive to be a good person.”