Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, has urged his players to stay fully focused on today’s high-stakes clash with Barcelona, dismissing the growing controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal’s recent comments.
The young Barcelona forward stirred tensions ahead of the El Clásico after cheekily declaring in a King’s League interview that “Real Madrid always steal.”
His remark has since sparked outrage and intense debate across Spanish football.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Alonso made it clear that his team’s attention must remain on their performance rather than off-field distractions.
“It is clear that a Clásico is special, and it has been for many years. It is a first for this new project, and we need the stadium to have that energy of the big matches… We must be ready, play at the highest level and have the necessary energy.”
When asked about Yamal’s statement, Alonso swiftly brushed off the topic. “Lamine Yamal’s statements? Are you still talking to me about that? I won’t dwell on it. What matters is how we play tomorrow. There are a lot of statements from people at Barcelona and I can’t analyze them all.
“There are times for everything. The players have to be ready. I’m not thinking about anything else.”
