At a time when almost everyone is admiring young Lamine Yamal and his incredible potential, the rare criticisms aimed at the 2007-born talent come as a cold shower. While many praise him for his maturity on the pitch and boldness in attack, Espanyol coach Manolo Gonzalez is raising concerns about his behavior, fair play, and sportsmanship.The Catalan club’s manager had unusually harsh words for the wonderkid. The 17-year-old Barcelona gem, who exploded with talent this season and capped off the club’s double crown with a spectacular goal against Espanyol, didn’t receive applause from across town. On the contrary—he was met with open criticism.Barcelona in ecstasy — teenagers launch the Blaugrana to the throne of Spain!”I told Lamine Yamal to his face to stop provoking, stop throwing himself on the ground and simulating. That’s all. He was rolling around the pitch like he’d been hit by a sniper. It’s true, our player Cabrera could’ve avoided committing the foul, but Yamal really exaggerated. He’s a very good footballer, but he doesn’t need to dive. Cabrera should’ve received a yellow card for hitting him, but everything else was pure acting. You blow on him, and he falls like he’s dead,” said Gonzalez, bluntly.Espanyol cosch Manolo González’s about Cabrera’s expulsion vs Barcelona: “We already know that on the other side they handle the simulation issue well, it’s been going on for years, you blow them and they fall fast” pic.twitter.com/3LwmYK2iwN https://t.co/xGFO0fu8Mk— MadMad (@MaadMadrid) May 15, 2025 Lamine Yamal has had a dream season—at just 17 years old, he has established himself as one of Barcelona’s key players. His explosiveness, creativity, and composure in front of goal have impressed not only Blaugrana fans but also neutral observers around the world.He became the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history for Barcelona, the youngest player to register an assist in the Champions League, and one of the standout performers in the biggest games of the season. Across all competitions this season, Yamal has played 53 matches, scored 17 goals, and provided 25 assists—a statistical feat neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo could boast at his age.Lamine Yamal and Cristiano have the same number of LALIGA titles to their names 😳 Yamal has only been playing first team football for three seasons 👀 pic.twitter.com/M6MF383KVa— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 15, 2025 Despite his youth, Yamal has shown great character—but also the occasional childish reaction. It’s precisely these moments that lead many football professionals, like Gonzalez, to highlight the importance of a strong mentor who can help shape him into a complete player—not just technically, but emotionally as well.One thing is certain: Europe has a new star, and Spain may have found a true heir to Messi—if he can keep his feet firmly on the ground, and stop falling to it quite so often.Yamal’s game radiates something that can’t be taught—intuition. Although he’s not yet physically fully developed, he makes up for it with football intelligence, close control, and a natural calmness in front of goal. Many have already labeled him the “new Messi,” but unlike many of his so-called predecessors, he genuinely looks like someone who might live up to that comparison. His greatest challenge now is to keep a cool head and a strong character—because he has enough talent for two generations ahead.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931505##
