What happened at Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's birthday party? Controversy explained as soccer player under fire for alleged use of dwarfs

Lamine Yamal recently celebrated his 18th birthday, but the festivities have sparked a controversy.

According to the BBC, the teenage soccer star hosted a party on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The venue of the high-profile get-together was a rented property in Olivella, a town almost 50 kilometers away from Barcelona. The guest list included influencers, YouTubers, and Lamine Yamal’s teammates, among other celebrities.

However, the 18-year-old footballer’s mafia-themed birthday bash made headlines for the alleged hiring of entertainers with dwarfism. The images and clips of a group of the alleged performers leaving after the party also made their way to social media, which was condemned by many.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by @lamineyamal

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE), a part of COCEMFE, denounced the hiring of people with dwarfism and promised to take legal action against Lamine Yamal. In its official press release, the disability support group asserted (translated from Spanish),

“The Association announces that it will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.”

🚨 | Lamine Yamal asked the famous Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism, to check his DMs yesterday. 😬 pic.twitter.com/CDgqytGw7f

— Just Bizarre Tactics (@JBTFooty) July 14, 2025

According to MARCA, Lamine Yamal also received attention for his now-deleted comment requesting the Game of Thrones star, Peter Dinklage, to “check DMs.”

Spanish government to probe Lamine Yamal for hiring of people with dwarfism as entertainers

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Asociación ADEE (@adee_esp)

The Barcelona winger is under fire for the alleged actions regarding the hiring of performers at his birthday get-together. After ADEE announced its intentions of taking legal action, the BBC confirmed that Spain's Ministry of Social Rights will investigate the matter. The Directorate General for People with Disabilities told the outlet,

“ADEE has filed a legal complaint. Therefore, this Directorate General has asked the Prosecutor's Office to investigate to determine whether the law and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities have been violated.”

Carolina Puente, ADEE President, had previously called out the footballer’s actions. She was quoted as saying (translated from Spanish),

“It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal. The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.”

Puente also shared her concerns for many getting influenced by Yamal’s actions (translated from Spanish),

“When a person with social influence participates in these types of situations, the damage is even greater, because it conveys to society—especially to young people—that discrimination is acceptable. We must eradicate the objectification of difference and educate people in respect and equity.”

However, a person claimed to be one of the entertainers shared a different perspective and told RAC1 radio station (via the BBC),

“No one disrespected us, we worked in peace. I don't understand why there's so much hype. We're normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.”

The performer added,

"We work as entertainers. Why can't we do it? Because of our physical condition? We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys. [...] We dance, we distribute drinks, we do magic... there are many types of shows. Everyone had a great time.”

According to El Independiente, more than 200 guests attended the party on Sunday at an Olivella mansion that reportedly has a rent of €40,000/week. The outlet confirmed that mobile phones were banned inside the party, which lasted until 6:00 a.m. the following day. Thus, what happened during the get-together remains unclear.