Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Real Betis on Saturday came with a brief moment of concern for Lamine Yamal. The Barça star was involved in a heated confrontation late in the game at La Cartuja, and for a few moments, his place in next week’s Clásico against Real Madrid appeared to be at risk.

Raphinha, standing on the sideline, yelled at his teammate to hurry off the field at La Cartuja. Hansi Flick, who had decided to take him off for the third time this season after previously managing his minutes only against Elche and Levante, grabbed him seconds later and whispered something in his ear. He was probably explaining why he had made the change. In case Lamine had forgotten, he was already on a yellow card and another booking could have cost him the Clásico against Real Madrid.

Just after Abde made it 2-3, Lamine went over to Fermín, who had gone down after an earlier aerial challenge with an opponent, to check on him. Valles came over and urged Fermín to get back on his feet, leaving no opportunity for VAR to review the incident, as it had with Cucho’s handball. Lamine moved Valles aside, and suddenly Facundo Bernal entered the scene with a shove. The Barça No. 10 shoved him back, only with considerably more force. Things were getting heated.

Lamine quickly seemed to realize he was pushing his luck and raised his hands. That was when Bernal made two head movements toward him. What would have happened if Bernal had gone to ground after being pushed by the the Barcelona teenager? Nobody knows. What we do know is that, for a moment, Lamine put the Clásico at risk.

Lamine can lose his cool

Lamine has a calm demeanor. At times, he even seems almost detached on the field. He projects an air of coolness and complete control over his movements. His head is cold, but his heart occasionally gets heated.

That happened at the Sánchez Pizjuán just a month ago, when the fans criticized him for allegedly faking an incident. La Cartuja also did not appreciate the way he lingered over his celebration after making it 0-1.

It was a goal, incidentally, that belongs in the same gallery of great goals as the one he scored against Inter in the first leg of the 2025 Champions League semifinal, or the one he scored in Munich against France in the European Championship semifinal.

The Betis fans did not take it well, and Lamine seemed determined to show them that one of the best players in the world was on the field. He produced one brilliant moment after another throughout the game, including a beautiful pass to Adeyemi. He also set up Gabriel Jesus to make it 3-1.

He now has nine goals and 10 assists this season. He is an extraordinary talent. But he is human. And he gets heated. This Saturday, he put the Clásico at risk.

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