(foto: Getty Images)
Lamine Yamal’s casual gesture towards King Felipe VI during Barcelona’s Copa del Rey celebrations sparked backlash, with fans accusing the youngster of showing disrespect after the dramatic win over Real Madrid.
Lamine Yamal has been accused of showing a lack of respect towards King Felipe VI during Barcelona’s Copa del Rey celebrations following their chaotic 3-2 victory over Real Madrid on Saturday night.
The 17-year-old star played the full 120 minutes at the Estadio de La Cartuja, where Real Madrid saw Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, and Lucas Vázquez all sent off in a heated finale.
Barcelona secured the trophy with a dramatic extra-time winner from Jules Kounde, adding to their dominance over Madrid this season after previous wins in the league and Spanish Super Cup.
Amid the celebrations, attention quickly turned to Yamal’s behavior during the medal ceremony. Footage shared by ESPN captured the young forward greeting a line of officials wearing two pairs of sunglasses and a backwards shirt, an unconventional look that had already caught some attention.
When Yamal approached King Felipe VI to collect his medal, instead of a traditional handshake, he casually offered a 'dap' — a gesture involving slapping palms or a quick embrace, popular among younger generations.
The King is no stranger to Yamal, having met him previously after Spain’s Euro 2024 victory over England. However, the casual greeting didn’t sit well with many fans online.
Social media reactions were swift. "A lack of respect," one user posted on X. Another commented, "This boy is really Gen Z lol," while a third wrote, "A Real Madrid player would be suspended for doing this."
Yamal continued the relaxed greetings down the line, also casually embracing Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who responded warmly after the club’s latest triumph.