It was a tense Nations League quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands, and the pressure was everywhere, seemingly on Lamine Yamal. But not for long. He burst to life, took a wondrous touch, scored Spain’s third goal, and pulled his shorts slightly lower in what seemed like a jab at Rafael van der Vaart. The former Dutch international had criticized the 17-year-old for wearing low shorts and, in his view, not putting in enough effort.
Van der Vaart didn’t mince words. He told NOS television, “I see things that are starting to bother me a little. Pants a little lower, not making much of an effort, slightly superficial gestures. If you’re that young, you should be happy with every minute you play for Spain.” That critique came right after the first leg, when Yamal struggled to create danger against Jorrel Hato. Many wondered how the Barcelona prodigy would respond in the return match.
He did it in style. After driving in a well-placed shot to put Spain briefly ahead 3-2 in extra time, Yamal walked away from the celebration with a sly grin. Later, he posted on Instagram, “Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and INTO THE SEMIFINAL, COME ON SPAIN!” The post included a photo of Van der Vaart. Ferran Torres, his Barcelona teammate, couldn’t resist commenting, “Turn them down a bit more, please!”
Yamal’s night was memorable, though not perfect. He missed his penalty in the shootout, but Spain still advanced 5-4 and will face France in June. Pedri, the midfield prodigy who also participated in the shootout, empathized jokingly with his teammate. “What a s–t penalty,” he said with a wry smile, “but no, you learn from these situations. His calmness has always surprised us.”
Standing up to the critics
That calmness was on display in Yamal’s subtle yet pointed response to Van der Vaart’s comments. Critics wondered if the teenager’s laid-back style was a sign of complacency. But for many at Barcelona, Yamal’s composure is more an indication of confidence than arrogance. He has shown resilience before. Teammates say it’s just how he handles the spotlight. Ignorance is bliss?
The young forward is preparing for a crucial La Liga match against Osasuna. Barcelona is level with Real Madrid and clings to a four-point lead over Atlético. Every game counts, and Yamal knows more cameras will focus on how high or low he wears his shorts.
The question now is whether Yamal can keep his balance between swagger and self-awareness. He has shown he can deliver in high-pressure moments, even if he misses a spot-kick here or there. Whether Van der Vaart stays quiet remains to be seen, but one thing is clear. Lamine Yamal isn’t afraid to push back when he feels attacked, and he’ll do it on his own terms.
