Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal has found himself at the centre of controversy after a social media post following his team's 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo in La Liga.
The 16-year-old winger, who became Barcelona's youngest ever goalscorer earlier this season, posted a photo on Instagram with the caption "Back to winning ways" after Sunday's match. The post quickly drew criticism from some fans and pundits who felt it showed disrespect to their opponents.
Mixed Reactions to Youngster's Celebration
While many supporters praised Yamal's performance and youthful exuberance, others argued the post lacked humility after what had been a hard-fought match. Former Celta Vigo player and current pundit Gabri Veiga commented: "Young players need guidance on how to conduct themselves after matches, especially when the result was so close."
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández defended his player in the post-match press conference: "Lamine is a fantastic talent with a great attitude. He was simply expressing joy at helping the team win. We must remember he's still very young and learning."
Social Media in Modern Football
The incident has reignited debate about footballers' use of social media and the pressures facing young players in the spotlight. Sports psychologist Dr. Elena Martínez noted: "Today's players navigate unprecedented public scrutiny. What might seem like an innocent post can quickly become a talking point."
Yamal, who has been with Barcelona since age 7, has become one of European football's most exciting prospects this season. His Instagram following has grown exponentially alongside his first-team appearances.
As of Monday morning, the controversial post remained on Yamal's account, having garnered over 500,000 likes. The teenager is expected to feature in Barcelona's next match against Sevilla as they continue their La Liga campaign.
