Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal is under scrutiny following the presence of individuals with dwarfism performing as ‘entertainers’ at his 18th birthday celebration last weekend, according to Spanish media reports citing comments from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights.
The winger marked his birthday with a private event held at a residence in Olivella, about 50 kilometres west of Barcelona. According to media reports, the ministry has requested that the public prosecutor investigate the incident after receiving a formal complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE).
Yamal turned 18 on 13 July, one day after the Saturday night party, which was attended by several of his Barcelona teammates and high-profile musical artists, including Bizarrap and Bad Gyal.
‘The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities (have been),’ the Ministry of Social Rights is quoted as saying.
The ADEE condemned what it described as ‘the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment’, stating its intention to pursue legal action. The group said such practices ‘perpetuate stereotypes, fuel discrimination, and undermine the image and rights’ of individuals with disabilities.
Although filming was restricted during the celebration, footage has surfaced on social media (main image) showing several individuals with dwarfism arriving at the venue.
One of the performers, speaking anonymously on Catalan radio station RAC1, said there were four of them at the event and that they were treated respectfully throughout.
‘No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace,’ the performer said. ‘We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way.’
‘For a couple of years these people [the ADEE] have wanted to harm us, they want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected … All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.’
The individual described their work as involving dancing, delivering drinks and performing magic tricks to entertain guests.
Dominican rapper Chimbala, who is of short stature, shared an Instagram video of himself performing on stage with Yamal, while Barça players Gavi and Alejandro Balde were seen dancing nearby.
‘Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, signing my song ‘Abusadora’, thank you for inviting me to your (birthday),’ Chimbala wrote.
Yamal, who debuted for Barcelona at the age of 15 in 2023, is considered a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or. He played a key role in helping the team secure a domestic treble last season, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. To date, he has scored 25 goals in 106 appearances for the club. ALSO READ: Lamine Yamal, aged 16, makes history at Euro 2024: ‘I only ask to win, win, win.’
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Las leyes restauran derechos y protegen a las personas que estábamos en los márgenes frente
noticias como ésta que usan a personas con enanismo para el capricho y diversión de gente poderosaEsto ya está prohibido en España y lo vamos a tipificar como infracción muy grave
👇 https://t.co/Gw5pLuDkOX— Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad y D. G. (@RPDiscapacidad) July 14, 2025
🥳 Lamine Yamal’s wild 18th birthday bash:
Balde and Gavi living it up, Lamine singing with Chimbala… and a 9AM wrap-up! #fcbarcelona pic.twitter.com/jsgflouUwF
— MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) July 13, 2025
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