Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal says he experiences racism ‘a thousand times’

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal revealed in an interview with Jorge Valdano on Movistar that he has experienced racism "a thousand times." The 19-year-old stated that people often express indirect racism through comments or looks without realizing their behavior is discriminatory. He explained that while he acknowledges his identity, he chooses not to let disrespect anger him on the pitch.

Yamal, along with Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, was identified by the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia as the most targeted player for online racist abuse in Spain during late 2025. The remarks follow multiple high-profile incidents across Spanish football, including abuse directed at Yamal, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati at the Santiago Bernabeu in October 2024.