After securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Barca, despite losing the second leg 1-2, Atletico posted a photo on Instagram. The image featured four forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman, and Alexander Sorloth, all wearing sunglasses and wired headphones with serious expressions.

Griezmann wears glasses and headphones in response to Yamal. *Photo: Atletico Madrid*

This pose was first adopted by basketball player LeBron James in 2016, inspiring the Cavaliers to a comeback victory against Golden State in the 2016 NBA Finals. Before the second leg on the evening of 14/4, Yamal changed his profile picture to one of LeBron James, hoping to motivate Barca to achieve a similar turnaround.

"He is one of my role models. I will think about how he made that comeback", Yamal said about his decision to change his profile picture.

Barca nearly completed their comeback in the second leg. Within the first 24 minutes, Yamal and Ferran Torres put the visitors up 2-0, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2. However, they could not maintain this advantage. In the 31st minute, Lookman scored, narrowing the deficit to 1-2 for Atletico.

Yamal also drew attention in the 29th minute of the second leg while waiting to take a corner kick. He sat on the ball, stroking his chin in a confident manner, reflecting the self-assurance of an 18-year-old player. Many on social media praised Yamal's expression, likening the young star to a hunter observing his prey.

Yamal's performance included creating four chances, completing 33 dribbles, making nine ball recoveries, winning 12 of 22 duels, and achieving 80% pass accuracy. Many viewers expressed regret that Barca's squad lacked the depth to fully capitalize on the "number 10's" talent.

Yamal (center) is disappointed after the Champions League quarter-final second leg on the evening of 14/4. *Photo: Reuters*

Yamal has yet to win the Champions League. The 18-year-old forward and his teammates lost to PSG in the 2023-2024 quarter-finals and Inter in the semi-finals last season.

In the semi-finals, Atletico will face the winner of the Arsenal versus Sporting match. On the other side of the bracket, reigning champions PSG, who eliminated Liverpool with a 4-0 aggregate score, will play the winner of the Bayern versus Real match.

Thanh Quy (according to Instagram)