Polish referee Szymon Marciniak (L) and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (R)
Barcelona faced significant backlash on social media after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, following a dramatic 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro on May 6, 2025.
Goals from Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Francesco Acerbi, and Davide Frattesi sealed the victory for the Italian side, despite a spirited second-half comeback from Barcelona.
The Catalan club responded with goals from Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, and Raphinha, but it wasn’t enough. Inter Milan advanced to the next round with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline.
A wave of reactions swept through social media, as fans ridiculed Barcelona, who had been widely tipped to win a treble (three major trophies) this season, following their strong domestic and European form.
Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick and several players criticised referee Szymon Marciniak, accusing him of favoring Inter Milan in several 50/50 decisions. They claimed these calls had a significant impact on the outcome of the match, contributing to the club’s painful exit.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal found himself trending for both positive and negative reasons. Some fans mocked him for prior comments that implied Barcelona were clear favorites to win the competition.
Others, however, praised the 18-year-old for his outstanding performance, highlighting his relentless attacks that troubled Inter’s defense throughout the game.
Barcelona’s Champions League drought, now stretching to nine years, continues, despite a season filled with promise and widespread predictions of European glory.
Read some of the reactions below:
Hansi Flick may be proud of his Barcelona players, but he isn’t happy about some of the ref’s decisions! 😮 #BBCFootball #UCL pic.twitter.com/FFvZKanKR9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 7, 2025
See this Barcelona fan before and after the match 😭🫵 pic.twitter.com/lnXUG08bzJ
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) May 7, 2025
When you win, you say “we shouldn’t talk about refs” but when you lose, it’s only the refs fault?? This is why your club is never going to be legend. Keep crying.
— furiousduck (@furiousduck2) May 7, 2025
Flick, Your substitutions never helped the team. You were about to win. Before you changed Olmo, the team was ahead and very well constructed. Gavi will not score or makes any chances, why he was in?? Inzaghi beat you.
— تميم بن محمد الدوسري (@Tamim_D) May 7, 2025
Treble turned to terrible
— Dr. God Abeg ooo (@josh_uglyasf) May 6, 2025
Lamine is just getting started. These nights will belong to him for many more years. For Barca, they’re back to being the team that neutrals love to watch most.
— Imbuya Media (@Imbuya_media) May 6, 2025
Inter halt Barcelona’s Champions League dream 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/ZnWT54UnZD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 6, 2025
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