Lamine Yamal responds to racism from Real Madrid fans and makes a Ballon d'Or statement
Barcelona had a successful trip to the Ballon d'Or Monday night's gala in Paris, with Dani Olmo nominated for the men's award, while they dominated the podium in the women's award, with Salma Paralluelo in third, Caroline Graham Hansen second, Aitana Bonmati collects the first prize The Kopa trophy, for the best young player, saw Pau Cubarsi finish fifth, and Lamine Yamal become the youngest winner of the award.
He wasn't happy with just that, fresh off the back of his first Clasico goal.
“I am very happy for Rodri, an incredible player and an incredible person. For the best player in the world to put pressure on you and tell you that you are going to win is very good. I am young and it would be a dream to win the Ballon d 'Or, I hope it will be soon,' said Lamine Yamal. MD at the gala.
Vitor Roque and Álex Valle played at a high level at Real Betis and Celtic, while the physical problems of Clément Lenglet and Oriol Romeu prevented them from having continuity and prominence at Atlético Madrid and Girona. @jbatalla7
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 29, 2024
Yamal plates he was also the victim of racial abuse on Saturday night, with Real Madrid fans targeting him, Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Alejandro Balde. The 17-year-old paid little attention.
“The one who was on the field is me, the one who celebrated the goal is me, and the fact that the fans off it called you four fools should not matter… on the contrary, when they tell you that, it means that you are very well.”
Real Madrid and La Liga have publicly condemned the racial abuse, and the latter have filed official complaints with the Spanish Federation. Already at least two fans have been identified as guilty of abuse, and sanctions are expected to follow. Vinicius Junior, who has been the face of the anti-racism campaign in Spanish football, also jumped to his defense.
