Lamine Yamal urged to learn from Neymar’s mistakes after Barcelona lose to Real Madrid

Real Madrid ended Barcelona’s winning run in the Clasico, but Lamine Yamal’s subdued performance has prompted criticism after the teenager appeared more focused on his individual battle with Marco Cucurella than on helping his side.

Jose Mourinho said the victory showed Real Madrid had come to correct their situation and prove they could compete with Barcelona on equal terms. However, the result was not the only setback for Barcelona, whose overall display and the form of several key players raised concerns.

Yamal was particularly ineffective, producing what was described as possibly his poorest performance of the season. He offered little defensive support, failed to unsettle Real Madrid’s defence and was outshone by his Spain team-mate Cucurella, who enjoyed an outstanding evening.

His body language was also criticised from the opening stages. After five minutes, Yamal stood on the ball for several seconds in front of Cucurella, a show of skill which appeared to slow the game rather than create an opportunity. The incident was interpreted as evidence that he was concentrating on winning his personal contest rather than securing victory for Barcelona.

Yamal’s numbers

Yamal played the full 90 minutes without registering a shot on target. Three attempts went wide, while one was saved by Dean Huijsen. His expected goals figure was 0.51, and he also missed a significant goalscoring opportunity.

He created no chances and attempted only two long passes, both of which reached Real Madrid defenders. His expected assists figure was 0.06.

The 9-year-old? [Need source no age; do not add.] Across nine dribbling attempts, Yamal completed only four, meaning his attacking contribution was minimal throughout the match.

The criticism has drawn comparisons with what are regarded as Cristiano Ronaldo’s less positive traits: excessive self-belief and a tendency to view others as inferior. Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, and by some as the best ever, but his effectiveness over an exceptional career is what established his status.

Yamal, by contrast, was accused of displaying arrogance and superiority both on and off the pitch despite not yet winning the Ballon d’Or or the UEFA Champions League.

Comparisons with Messi and Neymar

The criticism also centred on Yamal’s position at Barcelona, where he wears the shirt once associated with Lionel Messi. Messi was not only an exceptional dribbler, passer and goalscorer, but also placed the team ahead of his individual achievements.

Yamal was accused of losing sight of that responsibility and focusing instead on his own statistics and how the match would be discussed on social media. The argument was that such an approach made him an unsuitable successor to Messi.

Yamal has openly admired Neymar and regarded him as capable of competing with Messi and other great players. The comparison was made not only because of Neymar’s ability, but also because of his personality.

The assessment was that Yamal had adopted Neymar’s excessive dribbling and individual focus while trying to say, “I am here”, rather than using those qualities for Barcelona’s benefit.

Yamal remains young and may develop the maturity needed to move beyond this difficult phase. But after once suggesting that a player could not be criticised as long as he won, he has now lost and must accept scrutiny.

Barcelona are listed to play Deportivo Alaves on 31 October 2026, with Racing Santander also listed in La Liga on 1 November 2026, alongside Real Madrid.