FC Barcelona is experiencing hours of maximum internal tension after the unexpected 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena, corresponding to matchday 20 of LaLiga EA Sports. The match, marked by the referee’s controversy and the culés’ lack of offensive success, has uncovered a deep crack in the locker room that no one expected: Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old jewel of the team and one of the most decisive players of the season, publicly broke out against one of his teammates.

In statements collected in the mixed zone after the final whistle, the Barcelona right winger did not bite his tongue and released a phrase that has shaken the foundations of the club:

“I would rather be stuck on the bench for the entire season than play one more minute with him. Every time I see him on the field, I feel like I’m betraying my own career and my honor!”

According to sources close to the player’s environment, the criticism was directed at a footballer who, in Yamal’s opinion, is not performing at the required level in a team that aspires to everything. The young Spanish international went further and added that he would leave FC Barcelona if that teammate continues to be a regular starter under Hansi Flick.

The statement, uttered with visible frustration after a match in which Yamal was, once again, Barcelona’s best, has forced the German coach to intervene urgently. Flick, known for his firm hand in locker room management, held a closed-door meeting with the entire squad at the concentration hotel in San Sebastián. The objective: to calm tempers, prevent the conflict from escalating to the media and preserve the unity of a group that, until now, had shown an image of enviable solidity.

The match that changed everything: Real Sociedad 2-1 FC Barcelona. The match on Sunday, January 18, 2026 will remain engraved in the memory of Barcelona fans as one of the most frustrating of the campaign. Barcelona arrived at the Reale Arena as an undefeated leader for many days, with an impressive streak of victories and eye-catching football under the command of Flick. However, he came across an orderly, effective Real Sociedad with a stellar Álex Remiro between the sticks.

Minute 27: Goal disallowed by Fermín López due to a previous foul in the original play (reviewed by VAR). Minute 32: Goal from Real Sociedad. Mikel Oyarzabal takes advantage of a defensive error and coolly defines against Joan García (1-0). Minute 45+: Penalty awarded in favor of Barça for knocking down Lamine Yamal inside the area, but revoked due to previous offside (another controversial VAR intervention). Minute 50-60: Absolute culé dominance with clear chances from Dani Olmo (post), Pedri and Lewandowski (miraculous saves by Remiro). Minute 70: Barcelona tie.

Lamine Yamal’s pinpoint center from the right and Marcus Rashford’s impeccable header (1-1). Minute 71: Goal from Real Sociedad. Gonçalo Guedes, in a lethal counterattack, shoots García to make it 2-1. Minute 88: Expulsion of Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad) for a harsh tackle on Pedri, leaving the locals with 10. Final minutes: Culé siege without reward. Lewandowski hits the post and Remiro takes a key one-on-one.

Barcelona generated up to 22 scoring chances (according to official LaLiga data), but only achieved one. Possession was 68% for the visitors, with 18 shots on goal compared to 6 for Real. However, the lack of aim and the referee’s decisions (three goals disallowed against Barça: Fermín, Yamal and another) ended up tipping the balance.

Lamine Yamal was, without a doubt, the most outstanding player of the match. His dribbling, overflowing and the perfect cross for Rashford’s goal earned him a grade of 8 in most journalistic ratings. But that individual brilliance contrasted with the poor collective performance, especially in defense and finishing.

Who did Yamal criticize? The theories that circulate Although the young man did not explicitly name his teammate, several names are already being considered in the club environment and among the specialized press:

Some point to Ferran Torres, who had a discreet performance (average grade of 4-5 in chronicles) and missed several clear chances. Others mention a defender or midfielder who, according to Yamal, would be making serious mistakes that compromise the team’s performance. It is not ruled out that the criticism is directed at the management of minutes or tactical decisions that affect coexistence in the starting eleven.

The truth is that Yamal, at only 18 years old, has assumed a silent leadership role in the locker room. His maturity on and off the field has made him a benchmark, but also someone who does not tolerate mediocrity when it comes to competing for titles.

Hansi Flick’s intervention: “This can be solved by talking.” The German coach appeared visibly serious at a press conference, although he tried to reduce the tension:

“We are a young group, with a lot of talent and ambition. Sometimes friction arises, it is normal in a team that wants to win everything. The important thing is that we speak sincerely and look for solutions together. Lamine is key for us, a differential player. I trust that this will stay at home and we will continue focused on what is coming.”

Flick also defended collective work and avoided going into details about Yamal’s sentence, but confirmed that he had individual conversations with several players, including the winger himself.

Impact on the standings and the immediate future With this defeat, Barcelona loses steam at the top. They now lead LaLiga with just one point ahead of Real Madrid, who won their match against Levante. The fight for the title heats up again in the second round, and any internal fissure can be costly.

Yamal, for his part, will return to training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with the unknown of whether his ultimatum will have consequences. Club sources assure that there is no intention to transfer him – his clause is 1,000 million euros and he is considered non-transferable – but there is concern about the effect that this outburst may have on group dynamics.

Barça’s next match will be at home, against a direct rival in the fight for Europe. There it will be seen if the storm has passed or if, on the contrary, the culé locker room enters a phase of turbulence that no one expected in a project that seemed armored.

Football, once again, shows that behind every great team there are human stories, egos, ambitions and, sometimes, conflicts that can change the course of an entire season. In the case of FC Barcelona 2025-2026, Lamine Yamal has given voice to a frustration that many felt in silence. Now it’s time to see if the words become facts or remain an isolated episode in a campaign that may still be historic.