Lamine Yamal overshadows Mastantuono: the Argentinian is a substitute in the Clásico

Many were expecting a first duel between Lamine Yamal and Franco Mastantuono in the Clásico of matchday 10 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. However, the Argentinian winger will start on the bench in the Real Madrid-FC Barcelona, after being in the starting XI in 6 of his first 8 appearances in the Spanish First Division.

The 18-year-old forward was in the starting XI against Getafe, but came off in the 55th minute after a rather poor first half. Against Juventus he only came on in the 84th minute, which anticipated Xabi Alonso's plan to keep Arda Güler as a starter on the right. Finally, the man from Tolosa opted for Eduardo Camavinga to complete his midfield.

The Frenchman will accompany his compatriot Aurélien Tchouaméni in a double pivot with the mission of trying to nullify Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. Further forward, behind Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé, will be Jude Bellingham.

Lamine Yamal, the big star of the Clásico

Lamine Yamal: first penalty in Champions League and new record with Barça

Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, remains in the starting XI, accompanying Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres in the Barça attacking trident. Hansi Flick will be without Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo due to injury, which means all the pressure falls on the shoulders of the '10'. Fermín López remains as an attacking midfielder, after scoring a hat-trick against Olympiacos.

However, in the hours leading up to the Real Madrid-Barcelona match of Matchday 10 in La Liga, Lamine hogged all the attention. The player from Mataró heated up the pre-match atmosphere by stating that the 'merengues' "steal and complain," this during a Kings League event. These statements did not sit well with Real Madrid supporters, both within the locker room and among the fans.

The Bernabéu will be a cauldron turned against the Barça youth player, who hours before the match added more spice with a viral post on his social networks. Yamal shared a message about his beginnings in Rocafonda, assuring that he left fear many years ago in the streets of his neighborhood.

"The real pressure isn't in the stadium, it's in the eyes of those who never stopped believing. And when he scores, he doesn't celebrate out of ego. He celebrates because he knows that goal can change everything. For him, for his people, and for his neighborhood," says the message shared by the '10' of Barcelona. 

Lamine knows what awaits him in Chamartín, where he has already scored two goals in his last visits (one not validated by the referees). Last season, he made 3 goals and 2 assists in the 4 Clásicos played. On Sunday, Madrid once again recognizes their main threat in the one from Mataró.

Franco Mastantuono, far from Lamine Yamal's level at the start of 25/26

Mastantuono, meanwhile, will have to wait for his opportunity on the bench during his first Clásico. The Argentinian has 1 goal and 1 assist in his first 8 appearances with Real Madrid. Beyond Xabi Alonso's confidence, he still has a long way to go to establish himself as a starter in a position where he competes head-to-head with Rodrygo, Brahim, and Güler himself.

Lamine Yamal, despite missing 5 games due to pubic problems, has 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games, meaning he produces more than one goal per game this season. In La Liga, the forward has not scored since matchday 3 against Rayo, although he 'found the net' from a penalty against Olympiacos on Tuesday. Will the player from Mataró celebrate a goal again in his first Clásico with the '10' on his back?

• 📌 Follow the Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona Clásico live on FC Barcelona Noticias and find out everything, don't miss anything!