Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha take a sly dig at critics with cheeky December comment | OneFootball

FC Barcelona clinched the La Liga title in commanding fashion, sealing the deal with a 2–0 win over local rivals Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Fermín Lopez capped a brilliant campaign that also included triumphs in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.

To celebrate not just La Liga but also the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey titles, Barcelona had an open bus parade where fans flocked to join the team and soak in the atmosphere as the streets of Catalunya turned into a party.

The players and Hansi Flick were in a joyous mood, interacting with fans and doing their own stuff. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, two stars of this season, took this opportunity to take a sly dig at everyone who doubted the team in December.

The December situation

Lamine and Raphinha have been absolute stars this season. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Back in December, when Barcelona lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in La Liga, the Catalan club slipped to third place, 7 points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Not many gave Flick’s men a chance then, but the team found a way to fight back.

As quoted by SPORT, during the parade, a fan chose to turn into an impromptu journalist and asked Lamine: “I want to ask a question. Lamine, what have we won?”

In typical Lamine fashion, the 17-year-old chose to take a dig at the detractors and replied with the following comment:

“Nothing. We lost everything in December.”

The Spaniard has a very bullish personality, and it comes as no surprise to see him come up with a comment like this. Raphinha wasn’t far behind and also seems to mention the December situation. The Brazilian said:

“Take the third, take the third place.”

Ultimately, Barcelona have not just won La Liga but managed to do so quite comfortably. Real Madrid are a good 7 points behind, and Atletico Madrid are not even visible in the rearview mirror. It has been a dream run in the second half for the Catalan club.

Narratives in football change like the Melbourne weather

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha’s cheeky jabs are a reminder of just how far the team has come and how quickly narratives can shift in football. The pressure was real, the criticism loud, but the response was louder.

With a domestic treble in hand and one of Europe’s youngest, most dynamic squads, the future at Barça looks brighter than it has in years. And with Flick at the helm, this could just be the beginning.