Lamine Yamal sends epic message to Barcelona fans ahead of Copa del Rey tie against Atletico

Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has issued a defiant rallying cry to supporters after his first senior hat-trick for the club, insisting the tie against Atlético Madrid is not over despite a daunting 4-0 first-leg deficit. The 16-year-old struck three times in Sunday’s league victory over Villarreal and immediately turned his attention to the midweek Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at Camp Nou.

Posting on social media moments after the final whistle, Yamal wrote: “1% chance, 99% faith,” a succinct message that captured both the scale of the challenge and his refusal to concede. Speaking to reporters, he urged fans to create a cauldron of noise for Tuesday’s encounter. “It was time to react and push. We are doing it. Now let me tell our fans… come to the stadium against Atlético, the magic can happen.”

Team-mate Eric García lauded the teenager’s impact, saying: “We are lucky that he plays for our team. Lamine’s performance has been incredible; he could even have saved one or two goals for Tuesday.” The centre-back’s light-hearted remark underlined the squad’s belief that Yamal’s current form could yet produce something extraordinary against Diego Simeone’s side.

Manager Hansi Flick, who celebrated a landmark day of his own with the weekend win, has summoned 21 players for the cup clash, leaving the door open for further surprises from a squad buoyed by Yamal’s explosive display. With the tie hanging in the balance, Barcelona will need every ounce of the winger’s new-found momentum if they are to overturn the four-goal margin and keep their domestic cup dream alive.