Real Madrid legend Guti has taken aim at Lamine Yamal over his fashion choices during Spanish team press conferences.
Yamal has shot to stardom over the last 12 months and has quickly become one of football’s most entertaining stars after impressing for Barcelona in 2024-25.
Hiss rapid rise in the professional game has even seen Yamal become a regular in the Spanish first-team squad – having played a starring role in their Euro 2024 success.
However, in the aftermath of their UEFA Nations League final defeat against Portugal, the teenage winger has come under fire for his ‘Ibiza’ fashion sense.
Former Madrid star Guti – who made 542 appearances for Los Blancos – told El Chiringuito: ‘I don’t know if this is the first time I’ve seen a guy with a cap backwards. I don’t like that because he’s with the Spanish national team!
‘When he goes to Ibiza, or wherever he wants, he can do it. But not with the Spanish national team at a press conference. I don’t like it.’
Lamine Yamal wore a cap backwards during a recent press conference for the Spanish side
Real Madrid legend Guti has ripped into Yamal’s fashion choice for the press conference
On Thursday last week, following their clash against France in the semi-finals of the Nations League, Yamal arrived at the press conference with his cap backwards.
It marks the second time that the Barcelona youngster has been critiqued for his appearance – after Rafael van der Vaart took aim at him for wearing his pants ‘a little lower’.
Back in March, the Dutch pundit and former Tottenham star blasted Yamal as ‘superficial,’ ‘not making much effort,’ wearing his pants ‘a little lower,’ and claimed that he struggled against left-back Jorrel Hato in Spain’s clash with Netherlands.
But Yamal hit back on social media, as he wrote on Instagram: ‘Pants down, one goal, missed penalty, and in the semifinals. Hehehehehe, let’s go Spain!’
After scoring on the night, Yamal also celebrated – alongside Nico Williams – by pulling his shorts down. A clear reference to Van der Vaart’s criticisms.
A month later, the teenager was in the spotlight again – this time being accused of disrespecting the King of Span during Barcelona‘s Copa del Rey celebrations.
After a chaotic win over Real Madrid, Yamal was questioned for his antics at full-time, which included being greeted by the King of Spain – Felipe VI.
Footage shared by ESPN showed the Barcelona players being greeted by a number of officials as they collected their medals and trophies, and Yamal had quite the look as he donned two pairs of sunglasses and a backwards shirt.
Yamal was similarly criticised for his fashion sense by former Dutch player Rafael van der Vaart – before the Spanish youngster then poked fun at the retired star after posting this picture
He joined the likes of Pedri, Raphinha and Kounde to collect his medal, but eyebrows were raised when he got to the King, along the line of officials.
Rather than greeting the King by shaking his hand, Yamal opted to ‘dap’ King Felipe – a move which involves greeting someone with a casual gesture, often involving slapping palms and embracing with a hug of sorts.
The embrace, though, didn’t go down well with a number of social media users, as they failed to see the funny side of things.
‘A lack of respect,’ one fan posted on X. Another added: ‘This boy is really Gen Z lol.
A third wrote: ‘A Real Madrid player will be suspended for doing this.’
Though Yamal and his Spanish team-mates fell to a penalty shootout defeat against Portugal in the final, the 17-year-old has still enjoyed an immense 2024-25 campaign.
Having fully established himself as a first-team star at Barcelona, Yamal went on to record 18 goals and 21 assists from 55 appearances during the season.
His prolificacy in front of goal helped Hansi Flick’s side ensure the LaLiga title and saw them narrowly miss out on a Champions League final spot – after defeat by Inter Milan.
Yamal was accused of disrespecting the King of Spain during Barcelona’s Copa del Rey celebrations
King Felipe VI was in attendance as Barcelona lifted the Cope del Rey after a chaotic victory over Real Madrid
Yamal was criticised after he ‘dapped’ up the King – as well as a number of other officials in attendance
Yamal, 17, was unable to prevent Spain’s defeat by Portugal in the Nations League final
Meanwhile, Yamal’s national team-mate Alvaro Morata has said he has a big decision to make on his international future and suggested it’s ‘possible’ that he retires.
On Sunday night, the Spanish captain was on the bench during the UEFA Nations League final defeat to Portugal.
He came on during extra-time as a penalty shoot-out loomed, only to miss a decisive spot-kick during Spain’s loss.
‘I feel bad for my teammates, but it’s part of life,’ said Morata to to Spanish outlet AS. ‘The penalty? I didn’t take it well, I could have done better, but there’s nothing I can do now. Retirement from the national team? It’s possible, I won’t be back in September.’
