London will never forget the night of November 25, 2025.

Stamford Bridge vibrated with an epic 4-2 victory for Chelsea against FC Barcelona in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, a result that leaves the tie completely open for the second leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Cole Palmer (2), Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernández scored the blues goals; Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha scored for a Barça that, despite the defeat, leaves with two golden goals away from home and the feeling that anything is still possible.

But beyond the score, what will really remain engraved in the collective memory was the dialectical crossover after the match: the harsh statements of Marc Cucurella and, above all, the lapidary response of Lamine Yamal that left the English journalists speechless and provoked a spontaneous ovation among the Catalan teammates present in the mixed press room.

Minutes after the final whistle, Marc Cucurella – formerly of Barça and now Chelsea’s starting left back – did not hesitate in front of the Movistar and DAZN microphones:

«Since I have played for Chelsea, I have never seen a team play so badly and overvalue themselves as much as today’s Barcelona. “They were lucky that we only got four.”

The words from Alella fell like a bomb. On British social networks, the “sincerity” of the Spanish was celebrated; In Catalonia, the indignation was immediate.

Many remembered that Cucurella himself was harshly criticized during his Barça period and that his departure to Brighton (and later to Chelsea for 65 million) was seen as a blessing by a large majority of the culé fans.

The atmosphere was charged when, barely twenty minutes later, Lamine Yamal’s turn came before the press.

The 18-year-old, who had been Barça’s best on the pitch (assist to Lewandowski and constant danger from the right wing), approached the microphone with his shirt still sweaty and his gaze serene.

An English journalist conveyed Cucurella’s quote directly to him and asked him if he had anything to say about it.

Lamine smiled slightly, took a deep breath and released seven words that are already part of the recent history of the English-Spanish classic:

“I respect all opinions… except yours.”

Absolute silence in the room. Then, contained laughter among the Catalan journalists and a loud laugh from Pedri, who was next to him. Even UEFA’s own translator took a few seconds to react.

The phrase, brief, elegant and devastating, not only disarmed Cucurella’s provocation, but also reminded everyone that the talent of this generation of Barça does not need to raise its voice to impose itself.

Hansi Flick, in a subsequent press conference, could not help but smile when asked about his pupil’s response: «Lamine is like that. He is 18 years old and already talks as if he has 30 years of experience. “Today he showed on and off the field why he is special.”

The context of the match: a brave Barça that went ahead with a goal from Lewandowski (min. 12), but saw Chelsea turn it around before the break with a double from Palmer (penalty and direct free kick).

In the second half, Madueke and Enzo increased the lead, although Raphinha put a damper on the result in the 87th minute with a great goal from outside the area. Despite the defeat, Barça leaves alive: two goals away from home and the return leg looks exciting.

In strictly sporting terms, the keys were:

Chelsea’s suffocating high press, led by a stellar Enzo Fernández (MVP of the match). Barça’s difficulties in coming out playing from behind when Cucurella and Reece James closed the wings. The lack of forcefulness in their own area: three of the four goals came after errors in marking.

The late awakening of Barça, who in the last 20 minutes trapped Chelsea and could have even tied.

However, beyond the tactical analyses, what will remain from tonight in London is the class lesson of a boy from Rocafonda.

While Cucurella sought headlines with inflammatory statements, Lamine Yamal chose elegance and fine irony to defend the shield he wears on his chest.

In Barcelona, ​​t-shirts are already sold with the phrase “I respect all opinions… except yours” on the back and number 27. And on the networks, the hashtag #LaminePresident has become a global trending topic.

The return will be on March 11, 2026 in Montjuïc.

There, without out of place statements, without the need to disrespect, the Barça of Lamine, Pedri, Gavi and Cubarsí will try to demonstrate on the pitch what their 18-year-old jewel has already made clear in words: here we are still Barça, and we continue to rule.

Because, as Yamal himself said when leaving Stamford Bridge, still smiling in front of the cameras: “Let them talk what they want. “We speak on the field… and when we return we will speak louder.”

Lamine’s word. And that, in Barcelona, ​​is worth more than a thousand statements from someone who once wore this shirt and today seems to have forgotten it.