El Clasico should be tasty! Real Madrid stars 'fed up' with Lamine Yamal after Barcelona wonderkid stoked flames of rivalry with 'stealing' allegation ahead of La Liga showdown

Real Madrid did not need any further incentive to end their run of disappointing results against Barcelona. Xabi Alonso’s men were on the losing side four times last campaign and will be determined to right the wrongs of last season.

The quest for revenge has only been heightened by Yamal’s off-field comments. Earlier this week, the Barcelona star accused Real Madrid of ‘stealing and complaining’ and poked fun at the Blaugrana’s bitter rivals.

According to Marca, Madrid have taken umbrage at the remarks and are growing tired of Yamal’s persistent goading. The players were reportedly not surprised at the 18-year-old’s digs and, even though he is still a young player, Madrid do not offer him any excuses owing to his age.

Rather, the noises coming out of the Madrid dressing room suggest that they are "fed up" with his behaviour and believe that Yamal does not offer the basic levels of respect required of a professional footballer.

Yamal initially triggered outrage when he suggested that Madrid often found themselves the beneficiaries of favourable decisions. Speaking on a Twitch livestream of a Kings League game, Barcelona legend Gerard Pique was keen to make fun of his former great rivals and made a series of light-hearted jokes at Madrid’s expense.

Taking the banter a little further, Yamal added: “They steal, they complain, and they do things…”

Also in the conversation, Ibai Llanos, Real Madrid fan and owner of Kings League side Porcinos FC, asked Yamal what he meant by ‘steal’. The winger then laughed before saying: “Well, let’s see, let’s see.”

He may be young, but Yamal will not be naive to the impact that his comments could have on his opponents ahead of a clash that could have serious implications for the title race. Los Blancos will no doubt be fired up and ready to take all three points.

This is not the first time that Yamal has drawn the ire of Real Madrid for comments made before big games. In May, the teenager curled a stunning effort past Thibaut Courtois to equalise in the Clasico before mocking both Kylian Mbappe and Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The winger first chose to do the Portuguese forward's ‘calma’ celebration and then did Mbappe’s trademark arms-crossed pose.

The previous month, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey in a fantastic final that finished 3-2 to the Blaugrana. Making it their fourth win of the season over Carlo Ancelotti’s team, Yamal was keen to offer his thoughts. He said: “This year, they simply can’t beat us. We’ve proven that. I’m really happy. Visca Barca!”

With his strong words have come stronger performances and Yamal will be hoping that his latest mocking of Madrid won’t come back to haunt him and his team-mates on Sunday.

Barcelona go into the game two points behind Madrid, but know a victory will see them overtake their old foes. Alonso’s side have been strong in the league this season, suffering just one defeat and winning each of their other eight games. Flick’s men, on the other hand, were unable to turn their one draw into victory and match Madrid’s total.

This season is shaping up to be a two-horse race for La Liga’s crown. The two giants of the division are the clear standout teams and are trailed by Villarreal and Atletico Madrid – two sides who were on the receiving end of heavy defeats in the Champions League by Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively.

Given the situation at the top, it is little wonder that Yamal is seeking to gain any advantage possible. If that includes getting into the heads of his opponents, the youngster will do just that