Lamine Yamal’s birthday party faces backlash

It was meant to be a night of celebration. Instead, Lamine Yamal’s star-studded birthday bash has sparked a national debate on dignity, discrimination, and the thin line between entertainment and exploitation.

The 18-year-old Barcelona and Spain footballer is under growing scrutiny after reports surfaced that entertainers with dwarfism were hired for his private birthday party in Olivella, near Barcelona. Footage, leaked despite a no-filming policy, showed several individuals with dwarfism arriving at the venue — prompting a swift response from advocacy groups.

Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has formally asked prosecutors to investigate the incident after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE). Ministry director Jesus Martin Blanco criticised the practice, telling Europa Press it “takes us back to the Middle Ages.”

Local disability associations echoed the condemnation, vowing legal and social action against what they see as degrading portrayals of people with dwarfism in entertainment roles.

However, one of the performers involved defended the group’s participation. Speaking anonymously to Catalan station RAC1, the entertainer said they regularly perform at private events — dancing, serving drinks, and doing magic tricks.

“No one disrespected us. We were allowed to work in peace,” the performer said, adding that four people were hired. “We’re normal people doing what we love in a legal way. For years, ADEE has tried to stop us but hasn’t offered work or training alternatives. This controversy only erupted because it was Yamal’s party.”

Yamal, hailed as the future of Spanish football, is currently enjoying a breakout year. He played a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble — La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup — and was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.

Still just 18, he is a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or and has already scored 25 goals in 106 appearances for Barcelona since debuting at age 15.

But as the legal and ethical storm builds around his birthday celebration, Yamal is learning that life under the spotlight doesn’t end when the whistle blows.

— With inputs from agencies