Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Gunther took playful jibe at Lamine Yamal, chanted ‘Hala Madrid’ in enemy territory

Gunther faced their hometown star, Axiom, who was once a Real Madrid youth player.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

WWE superstar Gunther was in action in the Smackdown event at Barcelona’s Olimpic Arena on Friday. It was part of the WWE’s promotional European tour. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s football sensation, was also seen in attendance.

The photos and videos of the WWE Smackdown have gone viral on social media, but Gunther took all the attention. The 37-year-old wrestler took a jibe at Lamine Yamal, who was in the front row. Ahead of the fight, Gunther chanted ‘Hala Madrid’ – the popular anthem of Spanish football club Real Madrid and fans got crazy.

The Austrian wrestler said live in Barcelona: “I’m happy to be in Europe. Just one regret, I would have preferred it to be in Madrid. Hala Madrid!”

Gunther tells Barcelona that he wishes they were in Madrid 😭#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2WOeOnHDrO
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) March 14, 2025

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Gunther stole the SmackDown event with a win against hometown wrestler

It was the first SmackDown event of the European tour, and the electrifying main event witnessed a crazy response from the fans. Gunther faced their hometown star, Axiom, who was once a Real Madrid youth player trained by Zinedine Zidane.

Axiom, one-half of the current NXT Tag Team Champions, put up a great fight, but Gunther won it after delivering two Powerslams. The Barcelona crowd erupted for Gunther.

.@Axiom_WWE is putting on a show! 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LXA2CuHRyL
— WWE (@WWE) March 15, 2025

Lamine Yamal attended WWE SmackDown with his friends on Friday. The Euro 2024 champion recently played a crucial role in Barcelona’s win over Benfica in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixture.

The 17-year-old winger was seen in the front row carrying a custom gold belt, which was handed to him by WWE champion Cody Rhodes. Yamal also took pictures with the WWE Chief Content Officer and 14-time World Champion, Triple H and wrestler Drew McIntyre.

“The future of FC Barcelona is brighter than ever. Enjoy the show, Lamine,” said Paul Levesque aka Triple H on his ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) account.

The future of @FCBarcelona is brighter than ever…enjoy the show, Lamine. pic.twitter.com/gMP3qEH2CF
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 14, 2025

Lamine also shot a video of Randy Orton delivering his finishing move, RKO and dropped it on his Instagram account. Orton sealed a win against Carmelo Hayes, and the Spanish winger captured the winning moment.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied at 57 points for the La Liga title. Both sides locked horns twice in the 2024-25 season, and Barcelona crushed Madrid on both occasions. Lamine Yamal was on the score sheet in both games. Gunther’s ‘Hala Madrid’ chants will fuel the next El Clasico, which will be played on May 11 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.