Lamine Yamal challenges Real Madrid to Champions League meeting and names Paris Saint-Germain favourites

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he hopes to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, describing the Clasico as a “war” while admitting his side can struggle against the physical strength of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Yamal was speaking to Jorge Valdano on the programme Universo Valdano, in an extended interview covering Barcelona’s rivalry with Real Madrid, their difficulties in Europe and the problem of racism in football.

The 19-year-old reflected on the experiences of players making their first appearance in the Clasico, including Rashford.

“I remember Rashford’s first Clasico ended in a 2-1 defeat for us at Santiago Bernabeu,” Yamal said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. “I watched him play and thought he still did not know what the Clasico was. In the return match, he understood what the Clasico meant when he scored from a free-kick and played at a different tempo.”

He added: “When you come through La Masia, from the first Clasico you play, you know what happens in this match and you realise it is a war.”

Asked whether he would welcome a meeting with Real Madrid in Europe, Yamal said: “We have never faced Real Madrid in the Champions League before and I hope we face them in this competition.”

Yamal identifies Barcelona’s European weakness

Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, and Yamal believes their biggest problems come against teams capable of imposing themselves physically.

“Our weak point is against opponents such as Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, because they are physically stronger, make you run a lot and force you to remain focused throughout the match,” he said.

He contrasted those contests with Arsenal, saying: “The match against them is more tactical and depends on having possession.”

Yamal selected Paris Saint-Germain as his leading candidate to win the competition, but warned that sustained success remains difficult.

“I think Paris Saint-Germain, but the problem is that winning after winning is extremely difficult. That is the hardest thing in football,” he said.

“When you win a trophy, repeating that success is the hardest thing. That is the fear I have when we win something: that we become relaxed.”

Call for stronger action over racism

Yamal also discussed racism in football, having experienced several incidents himself at different stadiums. He called for more serious punishment for those responsible.

“There are measures being taken, but some decisions need to be more serious,” he said. “When someone commits a racist act and everyone sees it, with millions of children watching, they must be punished in the appropriate way.”

He continued: “A lot of good measures are being taken, but I would change the way the punishment is imposed. This is something that cannot be tolerated.”