On the night of his 18th birthday, Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal threw a jaw-dropping party at a luxury villa in Olivella, Barcelona, adopting a “gangster” theme that quickly went viral, though not entirely for the right reasons.
Decked out in a white suit, black gloves, and carrying a cane, Yamal embraced the role of a mafia boss for the night. The party featured fireworks, champagne fountains, a live performance of “Abusadora” by Chimbala, in an elaborate film-like setting that hosted over 250 guests, including teammates Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Lewandowski, and stars like Ozuna, Bizarrap, and Bad Gyal.
The event culminated in the reveal of a “gangster-style” cake at midnight—symbolically marking Yamal’s official transition into adulthood under Spanish law.
Despite asking guests to refrain from using phones, Yamal himself shared a 1-minute video of the party on social media. The clip, which showcased the opulent setting and his mafia-inspired look, spread quickly and sparked heated debate online.
What really ignited controversy, however, was a segment of the celebration involving hired little people, reportedly brought in to “entertain” guests. Spain’s Association for People with Skeletal Disorders (ADEE) responded with outrage, filing a complaint against Yamal for disrespectful conduct.
Spain has prohibited performances perceived as mocking people with disabilities since 2022, and new legislation, set to be finalized on July 15, may impose fines of up to €1 million (approx. 1.17 million USD) for such violations.
As if the birthday bash wasn’t contentious enough, Yamal posted another video the morning after the party, this time showing himself riding in a moving vehicle without a seatbelt. Sitting next to a friend and casually filming, the short clip triggered another wave of backlash.
Though no official response has come from Yamal or FC Barcelona, the clip has raised serious concerns about his public behavior just days into adulthood. Not wearing a seatbelt is a violation of Spanish traffic law, and fans are calling on the club to issue guidance or a statement.