'We are proud to be black' - Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal opens up about racist abuse by Real Madrid fans

Lamine Yamal has reflected on being subjected to racist abuse during Barcelona's resounding 4-0 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in October, stating that he remains unaffected by all the vilification by opposition fans.

Yamal got on the scoresheet on the night and Madridistas at the Bernabeu left no opportunity to express their frustration in the form of abusive chants against the 17-year-old. The club initiated an investigation into the matter immediately after the match.

Racism has been a big subject of controversy in Spain in the past three to four years, with Real Madrid having a regular victim of racist abuse on their ranks in the form of Vinicius Jr.

Yamal, though, explained why Madrid fans subjected racist slander towards him and asserted that he is proud to be the way he is.

“When you’re winning 0-3 or 0-4 they can tell you anything, in the end they can’t do anything. They are watching you play, they are watching you beat them in their stadium,” Lamine told Mundo Deportivo.

"They are seeing how they can't get to the ball and it's the only thing they have left. So, as [Alejandro] Balde said, let them call me black or whatever... I am and it doesn't bother me. We are proud.

"And in the end, when they are winning, they don’t shout anything at you. That’s when they lose. And that’s it. Obviously it’s wrong, it’s not to be defended. There is no room for this in soccer. They have to get out of the stadium. But well, the Federation already knows it, everyone has seen it, and they have to take the necessary measures."

The La Masia graduate is having a sensational season for the Catalans, playing a crucial role in his team's LaLiga title charge and their relatively smooth progress to the Champions League Round of 16. He will be expected to feature against Las Palmas on Saturday, February 22, before facing off against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final next Tuesday, which Barcelona play at home.