‘He has neither the soul nor essence of Real Madrid’ – Spanish-Moroccan Lamine Yamal teared into for recent conduct

Former Real Madrid star Iván Zamorano has launched a scathing criticism of Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, insisting the youngster does not embody the values of the Madrid institution.

Yamal, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, has become one of Europe’s brightest teenage sensations since breaking into Barcelona’s first team last season.

Despite his rapid rise, Zamorano believes the 18-year-old does not possess the characteristics that define a Real Madrid player.

“I wouldn’t sign him. He is a star, but he is not the essence of what a Real Madrid player is,” Zamorano said on El Chiringuito.

“I would sign Pedri; he is a phenomenon and he does it without speaking. He is humble, he speaks justly, and that is the essence.

“Lamine Yamal has neither the soul nor the essence of Madrid. To Barça, good; not here. It’s another story, another completely different club. Real Madrid is a team of class and culture. Players must represent that.”

Zamorano also appeared to take aim at Yamal’s recent public statements and gestures, suggesting the teenager should focus more on his football.

“A 17- or 18-year-old boy lets these lights be given to him for what he speaks… I think what needs to be done is to demonstrate it on the field and the other thing later.”

The former Chilean striker also commented on Real captain Dani Carvajal’s taunts toward Yamal after last week’s El Clásico.

“I understood it perfectly. We have all been wrong, but it is the moment in which Barça lives up to its phrase ‘More than a club.’ They have to try to get it back on track.”

Zamorano, who played for Real Madrid between 1992 and 1996, concluded by acknowledging Yamal’s potential but questioned his maturity.

“If he continues like this, he will be a great player, but not one of those who will leave a legacy.”