Overview

• The 18-year-old Barcelona forward has begun marking goals by placing an imaginary crown on his head in a nod to LeBron James.
• Parts of the Spanish media have criticized the display as boastful and questioned whether it suits a player viewed as a role model.
• De la Fuente publicly downplayed the criticism, saying he saw the move as a magician’s hat rather than self-crowning.
• Unnamed sources quoted by The Athletic reported that Yamal accepts the spotlight and is largely unconcerned by detractors.
• There have been no sanctions, and the reaction reflects the heightened scrutiny that accompanies his rapid rise and Barcelona’s No. 10 shirt.