According to Iraf, Pep Guardiola, the renowned Spanish coach, fully supported Lamine Yamal’s gesture of holding up the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s title celebration, describing the act as a sign of “social awareness” and “intellectual maturity beyond his age.”
Guardiola praised the move, saying that Yamal should be proud of what he did, as the action resonated not only within Spanish football but also globally.
He emphasized: “Lamine should be proud of what he did; he has now captured the world’s attention.”
The Spanish coach also highlighted the social role of athletes, noting that football stars are not just players but influential voices for millions of people.
He said: “A footballer is a role model for millions and their opinions always carry weight. When necessary, they must express their viewpoint.”
This support comes amid varied reactions in Europe to Yamal’s action, with many analysts seeing it as a sign of the new generation of footballers engaging with human and social issues—an age group that, unlike in the past, is unafraid to voice positions on global crises.
