In Spain They Believe Lamine Yamal Is Treated Better Than Vinícius Jr.
Journalist Nacho Peña sparked controversy by claiming that Spanish stadiums show preferential treatment toward Lamine Yamal, compared to how Vinícius Jr. is received.
Comparing Two Rising Stars
The debate surrounding Lamine Yamal and Vinícius Jr. has once again taken center stage in Spanish media. During his appearance on ElDesmarque Madrugada, analyst Nacho Peña pointed out that while the Barcelona youngster enjoys a favorable reception from fans and the press, the Real Madrid forward is often criticized harshly in similar situations.
“Lamine Yamal is in the spotlight because he’s a great footballer, but the press treats him very well,” Peña said. According to him, the young Barça star gets away with gestures or dives that would immediately bring criticism upon Vinícius Jr. “He goes down and isn’t called a diver, he gestures to the crowd and isn’t hammered like another player would be. Because he’s ‘our boy’ and plays for the Spanish national team, he’s treated better,” Peña added.
Yamal Responds to the Criticism
Amid the debate, Lamine Yamal has also had to face questions about his personal life, especially following his 18th birthday celebration and his rumored relationship with singer Nicki Nicole. The player responded in an interview with Televisión Española, making it clear that off-field chatter does not concern him.
“Most of what’s being said about me lately is about things off the pitch, but I believe the focus should be on what I do on the field. If I played for Mataró, nobody would care about my personal life. People talk because I play for Barcelona and the national team,” he explained.
These remarks reinforced Peña’s point, as he described them as obvious but insisted the difference in treatment between Yamal and Vinícius Jr. is evident across Spanish football.
A Debate Beyond Football
The controversy surrounding Vinícius Jr. is nothing new. The Real Madrid star has repeatedly been the target of racist chants and hostile behavior in Spanish stadiums, incidents that have drawn widespread condemnation of fans and institutions.
The contrast with the protection and support Lamine Yamal receives—both from the stands and from the media—has reignited the debate about bias and favoritism in Spanish football. While one is constantly under scrutiny, the other is celebrated as the nation’s next great hope.
