Barcelona is experiencing days of apparent calm on the sporting front. However, Madrid is trying to stir things up with news that has little to do with reality. The latest chapter has come from El Chiringuito.
Journalist Juanfe Sanz has directly pointed to Lamine Yamal as the indirect person responsible for the possible departure of Fermín López from the Catalan club.
This way, Madrid is selling the narrative that Lamine has a lot of power at Barça and does whatever he wants. Anything goes to tarnish Lamine's name, who proves, match after match, on the field that he's the best.
The discourse is surprising due to its lack of foundation. However, it is part of the strategy of certain media outlets that, while keeping silent about any problem at Real Madrid, try to turn the young Catalan star into a source of controversy.
Lamine, who is only 18 years old, is thus portrayed as if he's pulling the strings in the locker room and is capable of deciding who stays or who leaves Barça.
Juanfe Sanz's words
On Josep Pedrerol's show, the contributor was blunt:
"In the possible departure of Fermín from Barça, Lamine and Gavi have a lot to do with it. Because Fermín isn't part of that group.
Lamine is a footballer who has a very important influence when it comes to making decisions. In the middle of a dilemma between Gavi and Fermín, Lamine's influence is going to have an impact," Juanfe Sanz said verbatim.
The statement, as forceful as it is controversial, gives Lamine a power that doesn't belong to him. There is no situation at Barça in which an 18-year-old player has the ability to veto teammates.
However, the narrative coming from the capital seeks to portray Lamine as a "Vinícius 2.0." They burden him with sins and attitudes that were never attributed to the Brazilian.
A familiar maneuver
The tactic isn't new. In the capital, they've chosen to present Lamine as a problematic and dominant player in the locker room. This is the complete opposite of what actually happens.
The winger is one of the most beloved in the group. His relationship with the young academy players, including Fermín, has always been cordial.
His influence and weight in the locker room are minimal. The veterans are in charge there, and he's just one more. This has nothing to do with what they're trying to sell from Madrid.
The goal is to instill in public opinion that a teenager is in charge at Barça, while avoiding talking about the real controversies surrounding Real Madrid. This is a double standard in reporting that, at this point, surprises no one in Barcelona.
The real context
The possible departure of Fermín, if it happens, is due to sporting and financial reasons. The competition in midfield with Gavi, Dani Olmo, and other major signings has sparked an internal debate.
However, it has nothing to do with teammates' vetoes or Lamine's fictitious influence in the locker room.
At Barça, they're clear: Lamine Yamal is the present and the future of the club, but his role is limited to the field. The media campaign trying to tarnish his image won't change the course of a reality that Madrid watches with fear: Barça has a gem who could define an era.