When Lamine doesn't wear the crown

BarcelonaIf the king wants a crown... then let him work and prove he deserves to wear it. With his last two goals, Lamine Yamal has chosen not to make that crown-wearing gesture he'd made fashionable. Against Elche, he opted instead to angrily kiss the badge. Against Club Brugge, he flashed his mischievous grin, aware he'd scored a fantastic goal, and embraced his teammates. The way you celebrate a goal isn't terribly important, but I think it's a significant detail. I want to believe that Lamine himself has realized he wasn't doing something right, that his level hasn't been optimal lately. Perhaps he's sensed that at Barça, if you're a good player and you lose your way, the fans won't show any mercy, as happened to Ronaldinho. Few players inspire love at first sight like Ronaldinho. I remember him and I still get emotional. He brought joy; it was a gem to watch him play. But in recent years, he ended up being whistled at and booed. And rightly so. He lost his way.

It's vital that Lamine doesn't lose his way. That he understands that this sport can be cruel. I get the feeling that nothing makes the genius from Rocafonda angrier than defeat. He doesn't want to lose his way. He's a winner. And he needs to understand that to win, you have to work hard and be focused on the game. In Bruges, he acted as a leader, as he often did last season. It was necessary, since the match in general was poor: a carnival-like defense, an attack that lacked bite, and some players who were nowhere to be seen. When the team isn't functioning, you need men like Lamine to break the negative cycle and make a difference individually.

Lamine's performance was one of the few positive aspects of the match in Flanders. He's not yet at his best, but he's rediscovered his desire to take on defenders, attack, and fight. He produced some valuable individual plays, created an incredible goal, and provided assists. And the third goal was also his. Let's be honest: without Yamal, Hansi Flick would have an even bigger problem today.

If Lamine wants to reclaim the crown, I'm all for it. He can do whatever he wants as long as he plays at a high level and shows his character, making a difference. After a few tough days, seeing Yamal back on the court against his rivals was a joy. He needs to make a difference again; we all consider him the king of the team without needing the virtual crown.