They want their own Yamal — Barcelona legend defends teenager after controversial Real Madrid comments

Former Barcelona captain Gerard Piqué spoke in defence of Lamine Yamal amid the wave of criticisms that followed the teenager's comments on Real Madrid ahead of the Clásico. 

The Spain international, speaking on the stream of popular Spanish internet personality Ibai Llanos, claimed that Real Madrid robbed teams, which suggests that Los Blancos are favoured by the referees. 

The comments have sparked fury from the Spanish capital and even from the Real Madrid dressing room, according to reports, with Los Blancos captain Dani Carvajal set to speak to the youngster after the game. 

Piqué, who was a provocateur in his own right during his playing days, urged calm. He explained that Yamal was young and should not be expected to speak perfectly in public. 

“Let’s accept what Lamine is like. Obviously, you’re going to gain experience. No one is the same at 18 as at 38. Lamine Yamal is very special,” he said, per Dario AS. 

“That they criticise him from Real Madrid? It is understandable. They would like to have a Lamine. Lamine is special. We don’t know how long we will be able to enjoy him. 

“Let’s not kill him. In today’s football, you have to take care of yourself. All the players who are coming up now experience football in a different way. But they take care of themselves. We have to accept it.”

Piqué also said that Yamal's comments were not novel, as those of Los Blancos persuasion have also espoused similar rhetoric about Barcelona. 

“If you lose against Real Madrid, they always hit you. I don’t know what will become of Lamine. He has the opportunity to break with everything. Where did he come from, the merit that this kid has… it is barbaric.”

“The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid has always existed. They have told us that we have stolen and we tell them so. The only line that was crossed was Mourinho’s finger in the eye to Tito. In recent years we have changed and Barcelona are good at these games. Real Madrid are not very good either.”