A few more days ago, Guti was getting against Lamine Yamal for a cap worn upside down at a press conference with La Roja. “Unacceptable”said the former Real Madrid, causing an uproar in Spain. But this time, the ex-midfielder returns to his words, saying that his criticisms were not personally directed against the Prodigy of Barça. A way to calm the game in the face of a controversy that he himself turned on.
In an interview with MarcaGuti assures that his words have been misinterpreted. “It was not against Lamine, he said. I generally spoke, for any player representing a club or a selection. »» A late but significant clarification, as the shock wave of his first statements had aroused a generational debate around respect for the institution. Even more ironic than Guti, formerly a figure in exuberance on lawns, suddenly seemed to preach the protocol rigor.
The Mea Culpa de Guti: “My words about Yamal were misunderstood”
In Spain, this type of controversy also illustrates the difficulty for a young star like Yamal to navigate between personal image and traditional codes. With 19 goals and 26 assists this season, the Barça player could have enjoyed a relative respite. But the slightest gesture is scrutinized, overlying. And even a cap becomes a national subject. In this context, Guti's flip-flop acts as an admission: initial criticism has undoubtedly been excessive.
In reality, Guti especially seeks to exempt any accusation of relentlessness. He does not deny the substance of his message, namely the importance of respect. But corrects the shape. He takes care to recall that the supervision of the selection should have set limits, implicitly clearing the player. A way of repositioning the debate on adult responsibility, rather than an excessive adolescent.