De Jong explodes after El Clásico: “What they did to Lamine was too much”

El Clásico left far more than goals and refereeing debates. While Real Madrid celebrated their 2-1 victory over Barcelona, frustration reigned on the Catalan side. The most outspoken voice was Frenkie de Jong, who not only lamented the result but also questioned the behavior of Los Blancos players after the final whistle.

“When the referee blew for full time, several Madrid players went straight for Lamine. It was over the top,” said the midfielder in the mixed zone. De Jong directly pointed at Dani Carvajal, the main figure in the heated exchange with the 18-year-old winger.

“If Carvajal wanted to talk to him, he could’ve done it privately. Making gestures on the pitch just fuels the fire. Lamine never said Madrid cheats, I never heard that,” added De Jong, visibly upset over how his teammate was treated.

The incident came after Yamal was booed throughout the entire match at the Santiago Bernabéu, following his light-hearted comments on the Kings League where he joked that “Real Madrid complains too much about referees.” A remark that, for many, set the stage for the hostile atmosphere that surrounded the match.

A fiery Clásico on and off the pitch

The clash between Madrid and Barcelona had all the elements of an emotional battlefield: intensity, tension, and controversial refereeing. The Bernabéu turned into a cauldron, especially every time Yamal touched the ball.
The young winger, still recovering from an injury, couldn’t shine as he usually does, though his mere presence was enough to create danger. Assistant coach Marcus Sorg admitted the environment affected him: “He’s young; he has to learn how to handle pressure. It’s not easy to play when you’re booed every touch.”

On the other side, Aurélien Tchouaméni admitted that Yamal’s comments gave them an extra spark: “It gave us a little boost. There’s no bad blood, but those things light you up.”

The match, tense from start to finish, ended with shoves, stares, and a feeling that El Clásico has truly regained its old fire the perfect mix of pride, history, and pure rivalry.

Yamal, under the spotlight

He’s only 18, but Lamine Yamal already knows what it’s like to be at the center of a media storm. Since his rise to Barcelona’s first team, every gesture and word has been scrutinized. In this Clásico, he became the perfect target for Madrid’s pressure and fans’ hostility.

His composure, even against a stadium full of boos, showed remarkable maturity, though the lack of space and emotional toll clearly affected his game. “He’s a great professional; he knows what he’s doing,” said Ronald Araújo, who publicly defended his teammate.

The Uruguayan also lamented the result but urged calm: “We’re sad, but we move on. There’s a long season ahead, and we trust the work we’re doing.”

More than a match: pride and rivalry

El Clásico once again proved that beyond goals, what’s at stake is prestige, respect, and identity. For Barcelona, this defeat hurts not only for the scoreline but also for the hostility surrounding one of their brightest young stars. For Real Madrid, it was a symbolic victory, breaking their recent negative streak and reasserting dominance at the top of LaLiga.

De Jong summed it up perfectly: “It’s not just about football; it’s about respect.”
And even though the result is written, the emotional aftermath of this Clásico will echo for weeks.

The Carvajal–Yamal controversy is just the latest chapter in a rivalry that never fails to ignite. At the Bernabéu, the roar was white, but the echo of the drama will linger for a long time.