Real Madrid thanked Lamine Yamal, then beat Barca 2-1
Marca reveals Real sent out a 'Thank you Lamine' message after Lamine Yamal's defiant post, then beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Bernabeu thanks to Mbappe and Bellingham.
A short phrase rang out in the Real Madrid dressing room before El Clasico: “Thank you, Lamine.” According to Marca, it was the players’ way of reminding each other of the motivation that came from Lamine Yamal’s challenging post. On the pitch, Real responded in the most direct way: a 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Bernabeu, thereby consolidating their position at the top of La Liga.
Lamine Yamal and the challenging message before El Clasico
Ahead of the big game, Yamal posted a powerful message on social media, including childhood photos and a moment of celebration from last season’s 4-0 win at the Bernabeu. He wrote: “The player who comes from the streets doesn’t play for fame, but for his future. The real pressure isn’t on the pitch, but in the eyes of those who never stopped believing.”
The photo of Yamal celebrating with a haughty smile, while the angry faces of Real Madrid fans in the background, made the post even more of a challenge for Madridistas. Yamal concluded: “I left my fear in the park in Mataro a long time ago.” The message quickly spread and reached its rightful place: the Real Madrid dressing room.
Real dressing room: from slogan to performance
According to Marca, the phrase that was passed around at Valdebebas was: “Thank you, Lamine, for the motivation of your words.” It was more than just a response. For Real, El Clasico always goes beyond 90 minutes — it is a test of character and pride. Yamal’s status, from a psychological perspective, becomes a “mental stimulant” before the team enters the match.
The power of psychological activation lies in the way it reorganizes focus: turning the game into a mission. When challenged, the team often narrows the margin of error, the intensity is increased, and decisions in high-quality moments are made with greater decisiveness.
On the pitch: 2-1 response at the Bernabeu
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 2-1 to Real. The two names that made their mark were Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham — players who routinely decide big games with their speed and instinct for decision-making in the penalty area. It was the kind of victory that fits Real’s definition of El Clasico: patient, cool-headed, and maximizing the moments.
Against Barcelona, Real's value came from their ability to manage risks at pivotal moments and exploit opportunities effectively. Mbappe's presence stretched the opponent's defensive structure, while Bellingham added a second-line penetration — two additional attacking avenues that gave Real more flexibility in the decisive phase.
The decisive moment and El Clasico spirit
Classic games often revolve around a few small but valuable moments. At the Bernabeu, Real win in the “details” — from positioning in the box to the final burst of speed. With the mind set firmly on the target, the individual quality of the stars becomes a decisive advantage.
Aftermath: consolidated top spot and reminder of Madridista pride
The win over Barcelona helped Real Madrid consolidate their lead at the top of La Liga. More importantly, the way they turned the “challenge” into motivation showed a team that knows how to use the right story at the right time to increase concentration. After the match, many Spanish newspapers commented that Yamal — albeit unintentionally — “woke up” Real Madrid.
El Clasico has always been a stage for emotion and symbolism. This time, a brief post was transformed into winning energy. And while Real found common language in the dressing room, the Bernabeu witnessed a cold response, in their usual style.
