Lamine Yamal Recollects Racism Episode at the Santiago Bernabéu: “People Were Surprised by My Reaction”
Lamine Yamal has opened up about the racist abuse he has experienced during his rapid rise at Barcelona, revealing that such incidents have occurred far more often than people might realise.
The 19-year-old has already established himself as one of the most prominent young players in world football, but his journey to the top has also exposed him to difficult moments away from the pitch.
One of the most notable incidents came at the Santiago Bernabéu in October 2024, when Yamal and Raphinha were subjected to racist insults from spectators during Barcelona’s visit to Real Madrid.
La Liga subsequently investigated the incident and identified a minor as being responsible.
Yamal Says Racism Is More Common Than People Think
Speaking to Movistar in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Yamal was asked whether he had personally experienced racism during his football career.
The Barcelona star immediately confirmed that he had, while explaining that racism does not always come in the form of obvious insults.
“Yes, a thousand times. People are indirectly racist with you but maybe they don’t realize it.”
Yamal explained that certain comments, gestures and looks can also carry racist undertones, even when the person responsible may not recognise their own behaviour.
“There are many comments, many looks, many times, that are racist and do not realize it.”
The teenager also discussed how he deals with such situations while playing, making a distinction between words that are offensive because of their intention and words that simply describe his identity.
Yamal Recalls the Bernabéu Incident
Yamal specifically remembered the incident at Real Madrid’s stadium in 2024, when footage of the abuse directed at him and Raphinha circulated widely.
“For example, that typical video from the Bernabeu where they were calling Raphinha and me all sorts of names, and people were surprised by my reaction.”
Rather than allowing the comments to distract him during the match, Yamal said he chose not to give the individual responsible the reaction they were seeking.
He explained that being called “black” itself does not offend him because it is simply part of who he is.
“At the end of the day, if that person calls me ‘black,’ it’s not going to bother me at all – I am black; I’m not any other colour.”
However, Yamal made clear that the context and intention behind such language are what make the behaviour unacceptable.
“It’s a different matter whether it’s right or wrong because they’re saying it in a derogatory way.”
“I’m Not Going to Get Angry at One Person”
Yamal's response highlights his decision to remain focused on football rather than allow individual incidents to consume his attention.
The Barcelona forward acknowledged that racist abuse is wrong, but said he does not want to let one person's behaviour dictate his emotions during a match.
“It’s wrong, but what I’m not going to do—while I’m playing a game where people have paid for tickets to see me—is get angry at one person who’s disrespected me.”
His comments provide an insight into how Yamal has learned to deal with difficult moments while playing at the highest level, without allowing abuse from the stands to take his focus away from the game.