The 2025 Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will be remembered not only for the spectacular footballing experience, but also for a controversial gesture made by Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barça winger. What seemed like a perfect night for the club turned into an episode that sparked intense national debate after the youth player made an unconventional salute to King Felipe VI during the medal ceremony.

The match was a true battle between the two giants of Spanish football. Barcelona, ​​with Lamine Yamal as one of their standout players, managed to take the title after a collective goal in extra time. Yamal, with his first-half goal, had been key to the victory, and the atmosphere in the locker room was euphoric. However, amid the celebrations, something unexpected happened during the salute to the monarch.

Ceremony protocol dictated that players should greet the King with a respectful and formal attitude. However, Lamine, visibly moved by his first title and the context of the victory, appeared wearing sunglasses and a relaxed demeanor, casually high-fiving the King and exclaiming, “What’s up, man? Let’s go!” in a jovial tone. This greeting, which many considered a display of spontaneity and youthful freshness, was not well received by those in charge of protocol, who showed signs of surprise and concern.

The gesture was quickly captured on camera and went viral on social media. Within minutes, the hashtag #YamalRey began trending, and the media began debating whether this act had been disrespectful to the King. Reactions were swift. While some defended the young footballer’s casual attitude, others felt he had crossed the line of respect for an institution as important as the Monarchy.

In the Barcelona locker room, the celebration continued as the players celebrated the title. However, some of Lamine’s teammates, like Pedri, warned him of the importance of maintaining his composure. “Hey, Lamine, we’ll have to greet the King later, so don’t go too far,” the Canary Islander told him, while others, like Lewandowski, took a more relaxed attitude toward the winger’s gesture. By the time the ceremony arrived, controversy was already in the air.

Lamine, unaware of the magnitude of the incident, continued with his festive attitude. King Felipe VI’s reaction was one of surprise, but he never showed anger. In fact, some reports indicate that the monarch maintained his composure and gave a slight smile at the young footballer’s gesture. However, this incident did not go unnoticed and sparked a wave of comments in both the media and social media.

The club, aware of the magnitude of the controversy, decided to call an emergency meeting with Lamine Yamal, Xavi Hernández, and Joan Laporta. During this meeting, the player was explained the importance of protocol and respect for institutions, particularly the King of Spain. A visibly shaken, Lamine apologized for what had happened, clarifying that he had not intended to disrespect anyone and that he had only acted in the heat of the moment.

The following day, Barcelona held a press conference to publicly apologize. Lamine, accompanied by his coach and the club president, apologized to His Majesty King Felipe VI and to anyone who might have been offended. “It was never my intention to be disrespectful,” the young footballer stated. Fortunately, King Felipe VI showed understanding of the incident and privately indicated that he understood the situation, downplaying the matter.

Lamine’s apology was widely accepted by the public, and the hashtag #MiApoyoALamine trended, demonstrating that most fans understood that the gesture was not malicious. However, the club and the veterans in the locker room took the opportunity to teach a lesson about the importance of representing FC Barcelona with respect, both in moments of celebration and in those of heightened protocol.

Lamine Yamal, who had experienced the biggest night of his career up to that point, learned not only about protocols but also about the responsibility that comes with being a public figure. Although the controversy seems to have passed, this episode will mark a turning point in the career of this promising footballer.

The Copa del Rey trophy now rests in the Camp Nou showcase, a symbol of victory for a team that continues to establish itself as one of the strongest in Europe. But beyond the goals and medals, Lamine Yamal also had an experience that taught him to manage his euphoria and youth with greater maturity in the future. Thus, the 2025 Copa del Rey final will go down in history, not only for Barcelona’s triumph, but also for the life lesson learned by one of the most promising players in Spanish football.