Gerard Piqué Defends Lamine Yamal Amidst Real Madrid Controversy

Former Barcelona defensive stalwart Gerard Piqué has stepped into the spotlight, offering a staunch defense of rising star Lamine Yamal after the young forward's controversial comments regarding Real Madrid. Yamal, only 18 years old, sparked a furor in Spanish football by stating that Real Madrid consistently 'steal and complain,' remarks that reportedly did not sit well at the Santiago Bernabéu.

While many have criticized Yamal for what some perceive as a lack of professionalism, Piqué, known for his own outspoken nature during his playing days, has rallied behind the teenager. During an interview with Jijantes, Piqué addressed the escalating controversy, framing it within the long-standing rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid has always existed. They’ve told us we’ve stolen, and now we’ve told them…" Piqué stated, drawing a parallel to past accusations and counter-accusations between the two giants of Spanish football.

Piqué continued, urging for a more understanding approach to Yamal's youthful exuberance. "Let’s accept Lamine as he is. Obviously, he’s going18 to gain experience. No one is the same at 18 as they are at 38. Lamine Yamal is very special. Criticizing him about Madrid? It’s understandable. They’d love to have a Lamine. We don’t know how long we’ll be able to enjoy him. Let’s not ruin him. In today’s football, you have to take care of yourself."

Piqué's defense highlights the generational aspect of the rivalry, suggesting that Yamal's comments are a natural expression of a highly competitive environment. He also underscored Yamal's immense talent and the need to nurture such a prodigious player, rather than stifling his personality or potential due to a youthful misstep.