“People talk too much about him. He’s just a kid…”: a rival opens up about Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal under fire? “Everything is exaggerated,” says a Spanish international

Europe 15 November 2025 at 03:09

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“People talk too much about him. He’s just a kid…”: a rival opens up about Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is only 18, but he’s already experiencing a phase where every move is scrutinized under a microscope. For several months now, the young Catalan forward has been the target of overwhelming attention, often more focused on his off-field life than his performances on the pitch. His highly publicized summer, some personal choices, and a few misunderstood actions have fueled a torrent of sometimes disproportionate criticism, turning the Barça prodigy into a hot topic on talk shows and across social media platforms.

In response to this spiral, one voice has stepped forward to remind everyone of a simple truth. In an interview with El Desmarque, Alex Baena, one of Atlético Madrid’s marquee signings and Yamal’s teammate with the Spanish national team, sought to set the record straight. For him, the negative image portrayed in recent months doesn’t reflect the player’s true character.

“People talk too much about him. He’s a normal, humble kid. Everything gets blown out of proportion because he plays for a club of Barça’s stature,” the attacking midfielder stated.

Baena laments the constant overreaction surrounding every appearance Yamal makes, noting that most criticism arises from the context in which anything connected to FC Barcelona is blown out of proportion. Despite being absent from La Roja due to surgery to treat a groin injury, Yamal continues to fascinate and spark debate. Proof, perhaps, that for a talent of this caliber, the weight of expectations often far exceeds what happens on the pitch.