Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is facing backlash following his high-profile 18th birthday celebration, after an advocacy group accused him of using individuals with dwarfism as entertainment.
The Spanish playmaker marked his milestone birthday on July 13, reportedly hiring dwarfs to entertain guests during the event.
In response, the Spanish Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) issued a statement on social media condemning the act as degrading and discriminatory. The group also announced plans to pursue both legal and social action.
“The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias denounces the hiring of individuals with dwarfism as entertainment at Lamine Yamal’s birthday party. We will pursue legal and social measures,” read the statement, posted on X.
🚨 Legal action to be taken after Lamine Yamal’s birthday party as people with dwarfism were hired for entertainment. The association’s (ADEE España) president, Carolina Puente, condemned the incident, calling it “absolutely unacceptable.”
Unbelievable and disgusting 🤢 pic.twitter.com/ibralDiVke
— LBW (@losblancoswrld) July 13, 2025
Lamine Yamal is disgusting.pic.twitter.com/72kehdXQjj
— LBW (@losblancoswrld) July 13, 2025
Yamal’s lavish birthday bash reportedly attracted a star-studded guest list, featuring teammates, influencers, streamers, and prominent Spanish-language music artists such as Bizarrap, Duki, Ozuna, and Bad Gyal.
