Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Celebrates 18th Birthday Amid Club Controversy
Lamine Yamal Receives Iconic No 10 Shirt at Barcelona
Barcelona has officially entrusted young talent Lamine Yamal with their historic No 10 jersey, a number renowned for being worn by legendary players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo. Yamal expressed his gratitude and ambition, stating, “My childhood dream was to debut for Barcelona and wear the No 10. Messi made his way, and I aim to do the same.”
The teenager appeared visibly proud during a ceremony at the Nou Camp, surrounded by jerseys bearing his name and the new number. He noted, “Every kid in Barcelona dreams of this—not just me. I’m determined to forge my path.”
However, recent headlines have brought controversy around Yamal. It emerged that he attended a lavish 18th birthday party with a mafia-themed motif, featuring performers with dwarfism and women with specific physical attributes who were allegedly paid to attend. Spain’s government has joined the call for a formal investigation into the event, with officials expressing concern about exploitation and the impact on impressionable fans.
Claims by a model, Claudio Calvo, suggest that organizers sought to hire women with specific breast sizes for up to €20,000 and that dwarf performers may have been exploited. In response, the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) condemned the event, asserting that using people with dwarfism as entertainment undermines dignity and violates ethical standards.
Yamal shared a short video clip of his birthday celebrations, which took place at a private estate with a mafia-style theme. Photos show him dressed in a white suit with a red rose, wearing a £300,000 necklace gifted by a rapper. Despite the event being private, some images and comments on social media have sparked widespread criticism.
Yamal has yet to publicly address the allegations or criticisms. Meanwhile, the club’s decision to award him the No 10 jersey signals their confidence in his potential, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding his recent personal choices.