Lamine Yamal has hit back at Rafael van der Vaart after the former Dutch player made a ‘pants down’ comment. Spain defeated the Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Nations League to advance in the tournament.
Yamal scored Spain’s third goal in a thrilling 3-3 draw against the Dutch before they went on to win on penalties. Yamal missed his penalty in the shootout but took to social media to respond to Van der Vaart, who had criticised him for his attitude and for wearing his shorts low before the game.
“Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and INTO THE SEMIFINAL, COME ON SPAIN!” the Barcelona winger wrote on Instagram.
“I see things that are starting to bother me a little,” Van der Vaart said about Yamal after the first leg, a 2-2 in Rotterdam last Thursday.
“Pants a little lower, not making much of an effort, slightly superficial gestures.
“That’s when I think: if you’re that young, you should be happy with every minute you play for Spain. No matter how good you are, at that age, you have to prove it every minute and in every game.”
Spain’s midfielder Pedri showered praise on Yamal for handling the pressure with great maturity despite being only 17.
“I said to him ‘What a s–t penalty,” Barça midfielder Pedri joked of his message to Yamal after his miss.
“But no, you learn from these situations. He is not affected by pressure and you have to take a penalty to miss one.
“His calmness has always surprised us. It’s as if pressure doesn’t exist for him when you see the ease with which he dribbles and how he plays. He’s someone we have to take care of and, above all, enjoy.”
Spain will face France in the semifinals in June.
