Lamine Yamal waves Palestinian flag during Barcelona title parade
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during his side’s title parade as the team journeyed on an open-top coach through the city, reports BritPanorama.
The 18-year-old also directed a pointed message at Real Madrid, brandishing a club shirt with the phrase “Thank God I’m not a Madridista” across the back. Despite being sidelined for the crucial fixture between Spain’s two biggest clubs, Yamal ensured his presence was felt throughout the subsequent celebrations.
Yamal’s display of the Palestine flag follows his public stance against Islamophobia just a month earlier, when he spoke out after Spanish supporters engaged in anti-Muslim chanting during a friendly match against Egypt. The Barcelona winger remarked, “Yesterday at the stadium, a chant was heard: ‘Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim.’ I know it was aimed at the opposing team and wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim, this still counts as disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour.”
He continued, “I understand that not all the fans are like that, but to those who chant phrases like this, using religion for mockery in the stadium makes you ignorant and racist people. Football was created for enjoyment and cheering, not for insulting people because of who they are or what they believe in.”
The Barcelona star’s gesture echoed that of former teammate Ilias Akhomach, who grabbed a Palestine flag from supporters during Rayo Vallecano’s Conference League semi-final celebrations following their victory against Strasbourg. This public display highlights Yamal’s willingness to engage with pressing social issues while navigating the complexities of elite sports.
Barcelona have enjoyed an incredible season in the league under coach Hansi Flick, who recently extended his contract until 2028. Despite personal tragedy with the loss of his father ahead of the El Clasico clash over the weekend, Flick’s leadership saw the team secure a second successive LaLiga crown, a testament to both his resilience and tactical acumen during a challenging period.
In a statement, the Catalan club expressed solidarity with their head coach during this painful time, stating, “FC Barcelona and the entire Blaugrana family wish to convey our affection to Hansi Flick over the passing of his father. We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family.”
With Barcelona looking to build on their recent successes, Yamal’s actions raise the stakes, reminding fans that football’s arenas often reflect the broader social conversations—proving once again that in the heart of the sport, messages of solidarity and resistance intertwine with competition and glory.
