Barcelona’s young football sensation Lamine Yamal recently celebrated a milestone birthday with a lavish, mafia-themed party at a private estate.
The event was attended by teammates such as Alejandro Balde and Gavi, as well as friends and family. However, what began as a private celebration soon turned into a national controversy after images from the party circulated widely on social media.
Fueling the backlash was a claim from an Instagram model, who alleged that 12 women with a specific breast size had been paid to attend the celebration.
The accusation raised eyebrows and quickly gained traction online, prompting criticism from the public and media alike.
Compounding the controversy, Spain’s Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) issued a strong statement.
The organization warned that legal action could be pursued if it was found that individuals with dwarfism had been hired for entertainment in a discriminatory or demeaning manner.
ADEE’s concerns were echoed by Spain’s General Director of Disability, Jesús Martín, who emphasized that Yamal, as a rising football star, had a responsibility to set a positive example.
Initial reports left uncertainty about the role of the entertainers with dwarfism, leading to further speculation.
However, the narrative took a turn when one of the hired performers gave an interview defending Yamal.
According to the performer, there was no wrongdoing on the footballer’s part, and earlier allegations were misinformed or exaggerated.
The incident has sparked broader discussions in Spain around discrimination, celebrity behavior, and social responsibility.
While the controversy has somewhat settled with the recent defense of Yamal, questions remain about how young stars navigate fame and the scrutiny that comes with it.