Barcelona sensation fires back at criticism from former Real Madrid midfielder – ‘Pants down’ | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal’s performance against the Netherlands in Valencia may not have been flawless in everyone’s eyes. Many will point to the penalty he missed in the shootout, which briefly put Spain in a tough position.

However, despite that moment of tension, the young Barcelona forward had plenty to celebrate as Spain secured their place in the Nations League semi-final.

His joy was well justified, as he played a key role in the game, even scoring a brilliant goal in extra time to bring La Roja back into contention.

Criticism from Rafael Van der Vaart

His goal came as a statement, not just for his team but also as a response to criticism he had received from Rafael Van der Vaart after the first leg in the Netherlands.

The former Dutch international had questioned Yamal’s attitude, commenting on his style and effort on the pitch, implying that a young player should approach every opportunity with more gratitude and determination.

“I noticed some things about Lamine that started to bother me. Pants pulled too low, not putting in much effort, slightly superficial gestures,” he had said.

Yamal’s response

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Yamal’s response was loud and clear. After scoring, he celebrated in his own way, pulling down his shorts slightly while embracing his close friend Nico Williams.

The moment, which quickly went viral, was seen as a playful yet defiant reaction to the criticism.

Following the match, the Barcelona youngster took to social media, sharing his thoughts with a lighthearted post.

“Pants down, a goal, a missed penalty and in the semi-finals hehehehe Let’s go Spain,” he wrote.

His post sparked plenty of reactions from teammates, with some joining in on the fun. Ferran Torres humorously suggested he should lower his shorts even further, while Hector Fort wrote, “Keep talking, keep talking.”

Despite the criticism, Yamal proved his quality on the pitch when it mattered most. His ability to deliver in crucial moments, along with his confidence and resilience, continues to cement his reputation as one of Spain’s most exciting young talents.