Barcelona star Lamine Yamal 'riles Real Madrid players with controversial comments' ahead of El Clasico

Asked whether Porcinos — a side competing in the seven-a-side competition — reminded him of any club, Yamal replied: “Yes, they rob; they complain; they do things.”

His comments, widely interpreted as a dig at Madrid, have since gone viral across Spain.

The two giants meet at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, with Hansi Flick’s Barcelona two points behind their rivals at the top of LaLiga.

Real lost all four El Clasico encounters last season, and Yamal’s words have only intensified the atmosphere ahead of the showdown.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the remarks have not gone down well inside the Real Madrid dressing room.

The paper claims the players are “fed up” with Yamal’s behaviour but plan to use his comments as extra motivation going into the match.

The squad reportedly discussed his words during training, viewing them as another reminder of the rivalry’s emotional stakes.

Yamal has a history of outspoken moments before El Clasico meetings.

Following Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory over Real last April, he told Spanish media: “I said to Ronald [Araujo] when we were speaking in the hotel earlier: if they score one goal, no problem. If they score two goals, no problem.

“They cannot handle us this year — we have shown it.”

Those remarks sparked an angry response from Madrid fans and pundits, but the teenager refused to back down.

“While I’m winning, they can’t say anything,” he added at the time. “When they beat me, they can.”

Yamal’s confidence was backed up on the pitch last season, when he scored three goals and provided two assists in four meetings with Real Madrid.

Having recently returned from injury, he is expected to play a key role once again this weekend as Barcelona look to reclaim top spot in LaLiga.

His latest comments have, however, drawn criticism from Madrid-based media.

Marca called on Barcelona to intervene, writing: “Yamal’s comments are very serious. Barcelona must give him a warning — publicly or privately — but they cannot just turn a blind eye.”

The outspoken Spanish programme El Chiringuito described the remarks as “scandalous words”, while Defensa Central argued that it was “time to put Yamal back in his place.”

Inside the Barcelona camp, the focus remains on maintaining composure before what promises to be a fiery contest at the Bernabéu.

While Yamal’s youthful exuberance has made him a fan favourite among supporters at the Camp Nou, his growing reputation as a provocateur has added an edge to Sunday’s clash.

That match that could prove pivotal in the title race and in shaping the next chapter of this century-old rivalry.