Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is at the center of a growing controversy after Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights called for an investigation into the presence of individuals with dwarfism hired as entertainers at his recent 18th birthday celebration.
The private party took place last Saturday in Olivella, roughly 50 kilometers west of Barcelona, ahead of Yamal officially turning 18 on July 13. The event was attended by numerous Barcelona teammates and celebrities from the music industry, including Bizarrap, Bad Gyal, and Dominican rapper Chimbala.
The ministry’s request to the prosecutor’s office follows a formal complaint filed by ADEE—the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism. The organization condemned the hiring of people with dwarfism as entertainment, stating it “perpetuates harmful stereotypes, encourages discrimination, and infringes upon the dignity and rights of people with disabilities.”
In a statement to AFP, the Ministry of Social Rights said: “ADEE has lodged a complaint, and we have therefore asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate whether any laws or rights of disabled individuals have been violated.”
While guests were reportedly not allowed to record at the party, a video showing several individuals with dwarfism arriving at the venue surfaced online, sparking public outcry.
One of the performers, who spoke anonymously on Catalan radio RAC1, defended their presence: “No one disrespected us; we were able to do our job peacefully. We’re normal people doing what we love in a completely legal way.”
The performer alleged that the backlash was driven by ADEE’s broader agenda: “For years, this group has tried to stop us from working, yet they’ve never offered training or alternative employment to those affected. All this uproar is only happening because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
He explained that their roles at events typically include dancing, serving drinks, and performing magic tricks.
Rapper Chimbala, who is also of short stature, shared a video from the party showing him performing on stage with Yamal, while Barça players Gavi and Alejandro Balde danced nearby. “Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, singing my song ‘Abusadora’. Thanks for having me,” he wrote on Instagram.
Yamal, a standout performer last season, helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup—and is considered a potential Ballon d’Or contender. Since debuting at age 15 in 2023, he has scored 25 goals in 106 appearances for the club.
Yamal’s representatives have not commented on the allegations.
