The story repeats itself. It already happened with Leo Messi and now it's Lamine Yamal's turn, the jewel of Barça's youth academy who's dazzling the entire world.
Every time a generational talent emerges at Can Barça, the media environment close to Real Madrid reacts like a spring. There's no sports analysis. There's no respect either.
There are only baseless accusations, unfounded insinuations, and an attempt to sow doubt where there's only talent.
What's happening with Lamine Yamal borders on delirium. The young winger, just 17 years old, has been the target of one of the most miserable attacks ever seen in Spanish soccer. All for a single reason: his unstoppable growth.
An accusation without evidence
Everything exploded after statements from Kiko Matamoros, a television collaborator and well-known Madridist fan. On the show "Ni que fuéramos Shhh," broadcast on Twitch, Matamoros dropped a very serious insinuation with no basis whatsoever:
"There's a lot of talk about Lamine Yamal's growth. I wouldn't dare say what's being said…
But there is talk about certain things related to pharmacological aids that shouldn't be taken."
The words, although roundabout, directly accuse Lamine Yamal of doping, without providing any evidence or indication whatsoever. It's a red line that should never have been crossed.
This isn't criticism. It's an attack on the honor and integrity of a minor who's shown on the field everything he's worth. That's perhaps what hurts the most.
Earlier, a tweet from @GxlDeManutinho explained that "since Hansi Flick has been at Barça, the players are mutating." "Lamine Yamal: +3.9 in. (+10 cm) and +44 lbs. (+20 kg) of muscle. Now he's 5 ft. 11 in. (181 cm) tall."
Lies as a banner. Lamine Yamal debuted for Barça at 15 years old, standing 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m) tall. But anything goes.
Kiko Matamoros just made the snowball bigger: "the dumbest sports doctor in the world knows perfectly well what treatment this kid is receiving. What happened with Lance Armstrong is a joke compared to this brazenness."
As a final blow: "anti-doping control in Spain is a joke, like everything that depends on the CSD."
Kiko Matamoros has it in for Lamine Yamal, perhaps because of the thrashings Real Madrid suffered in the clásicos last season. A few days ago he said:
"The worst of Lamine Yamal's vacation is yet to be seen. It'll be covered up with the same tarp used to cover up his treatments or his club's corruption scandals. The workers at some Ibiza nightclub know what I'm talking about."
After his latest television failures, Kiko Matamoros has turned to Lamine Yamal to get in the papers. On his own, he hasn't managed to do so for a long time.
Barça outraged
FC Barcelona didn't take long to react. According to club sources, the legal department is already analyzing the content of the statements to consider a possible lawsuit for slander.
"This kind of serious accusation without evidence can't be allowed. It's a witch hunt," sources close to the blaugrana environment state.
At the club, they believe a line has been crossed. Lamine Yamal, a full international with Spain, is subjected to the highest level of medical and anti-doping controls, like any elite footballer.
There's no official suspicion about his performance. There are only infamous rumors spread by certain media sectors.
When Barça wins, the white environment gets agitated
This isn't new. It happened with Messi. Also with Neymar and now with Lamine.
Every time Barça manages to generate excitement with a standout footballer, in Madrid the machinery of discredit is set in motion. Anything goes to take away merit, even launching slander from television studios.
The problem is structural. A part of the most radical Madridism, with access to the media, believes only Real Madrid can win.
When it doesn't, it's someone else's fault. Negreira, La Liga, VAR, or now, doping.
They can't stand seeing that there's talent at Camp Nou. With Lamine, there will be for a long time.