Lamine Yamal is a phenomenon. New number 10 of Barça, likely future Ballon d'Or, the 18 -year -old has the world at his feet. But fame has a price, and each fact and gesture is now scrutinized, analyzed, judged. His birthday party, organized with great fanfare in Ibiza, sparked a real media storm in Spain. Theme “Mafia”, handpicked guests, and above all, the presence of dwarfs committed for the show, which led to a complaint of associations. Many wonder if the prodigy is not slipping. Faced with the scandal, its president had to express himself.
“I regret not having been there”
Joan Laporta's response is surprising. Far from condemning or even moderating, the president of Barça swept the controversy with total relaxation. “It was an extraordinary party. Everyone was very elegant and had fun ”, he said to Mundo Deportivobefore adding by laughing: “I regret not having been there. »» For him, there is nothing to reproach his player, it is simply “The youth of today”. End of the debate. A public and unreserved defense which aims to extinguish the fire and to protect its jewel.
Laporta even drunk the nail by praising the professionalism of Yamal, who presented himself in training the day after the party,
“Ready to start the preparation”. “He's a serious, professional and very committed guy”, he insisted. Clearly, as long as work is done on the field, the player's privacy is only looking at him. A clear position, which contrasts with the image of a club which would be “Very worried” of his frequentations.
“I regret not having been there”: the lunar response of Laporta to the controversy Yamal
A less relaxed coach?
This unconditional presidential support is one thing. It remains to be seen if he is shared by everyone at the club. Because at the same time, the new coach, Hansi Flick, sets up a disciplinary screw. According to the daily Sportthe German coach asked his players to limit festivals and commercial appearances to fully focus on work. Two visions that seem, on paper, difficult to compatible.
Laporta chose her camp: that of the absolute defense of her star. He knows that he holds a generational talent in his hands, the one who has to carry the club for the next decade. No question, therefore, of weakening it for a summer controversy. But this pass has its limits. If Yamal's performance came to drop, presidential benevolence could quickly turn into pressure. The balance is fragile. And Lamine Yamal, whether he likes it or not, already works on this thread.
