Barcelona’s teenage football sensation, Lamine Yamal, celebrated his 18th birthday on July 13, 2025, in a manner that has sparked widespread debate and condemnation. What was intended to be a private, extravagant affair has become a public scandal, with allegations of exploitative practices and questionable demands overshadowing the young star’s milestone. A Spanish model’s revelations about the event’s bizarre requirements, combined with other controversial elements, have thrust Yamal into the center of a media storm, raising questions about his judgment and the responsibilities of fame. Here’s a detailed look at the event that has captivated and shocked audiences across Spain and beyond.

A Dual Celebration: Family Warmth Meets Extravagant Excess

Yamal’s 18th birthday was marked by two distinct events, reflecting the duality of his life as a grounded teenager and a rising global superstar. The first was a heartfelt family dinner at La Cupula, a scenic restaurant on Garraf Beach near Barcelona. Surrounded by his parents, grandmother, younger brother, and cousins, Yamal enjoyed a warm, intimate gathering. The centerpiece was a three-tiered cake topped with a Goku figure from Dragon Ball Z, a nod to his youthful spirit. Personalized gifts and a cozy atmosphere underscored Yamal’s connection to his roots, presenting him as a relatable figure despite his fame.

However, the tone shifted dramatically for the second part of the celebration. Yamal and a select group of 200-250 guests, including Barcelona teammates like Gavi and Alejandro Balde, as well as music icons such as Bizarrap, Duki, Ozuna, and Bad Gyal, descended on a luxurious villa in Olivella, a small town 50 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. The “Mafia-themed” party was a display of opulence, with Yamal sporting a white suit, sunglasses, a cane, and a €400,000 gold necklace gifted by rapper El Alfa. The event, shrouded in secrecy, has since been criticized for its controversial elements, including strict rules and ethically questionable entertainment choices.

Claudia Calvo’s Shocking Allegations

The controversy erupted when Spanish model Claudia Calvo, a former Miss Teenager Spain (2021) and Miss Teenager Europe (2022), spoke out about her invitation to the party. In an interview with Spanish television show Tardear TV, Calvo revealed that organizers offered her and other women between €10,000 and €20,000 to attend the event. However, the invitation came with unsettling conditions. “They were looking for blonde women with very specific breast sizes,” Calvo stated, adding that the organizers’ expectations were vague, centered around “having a good time” for 24 hours. She also noted that attendees were prohibited from bringing phones, a measure ostensibly to protect privacy but which added to the event’s secretive nature.

Calvo, who declined the invitation due to the “creepy” and “inappropriate” demands, claimed to have screenshots of the conversations as evidence. “I don’t know what they really expected from us,” she told Tardear TV, suggesting that the organizers were seeking “models or escorts” with specific physical attributes. Her revelations sparked outrage, with many accusing Yamal’s team of objectifying women and engaging in morally dubious practices. The allegations painted a troubling picture of an event that prioritized spectacle over ethics, prompting widespread criticism.

Exploitation Allegations and Legal Threats

The party’s controversies didn’t end with Calvo’s claims. The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) issued a scathing statement condemning the event for hiring individuals with dwarfism as part of the entertainment. The organization described the practice as “unacceptable in the 21st century” and a violation of Spanish law, which prohibits performances that demean or exploit people with disabilities. ADEE vowed to pursue “legal and social measures” to protect the dignity of those involved, with potential fines for Yamal ranging from €600,000 to €1 million.

Jesús Martín Blanco, Spain’s Director General for Disability Rights, echoed ADEE’s concerns, calling for an official investigation. “We’re worried that a well-known person who can have such an influence over young people uses these people in such a harmful way,” he told Europa Press, describing the hiring of individuals with dwarfism as “objectifying” and reminiscent of “Medieval times.” The Spanish government has since tasked the Public Prosecutor’s Office with probing the event, amplifying the scrutiny on Yamal and his team.

In response, one performer with dwarfism, speaking anonymously to Catalunya’s RAC1 radio, defended their participation, insisting that they were treated respectfully and performed professional acts like dancing and magic tricks. “We’re not a circus. We entertain, and we were treated with respect,” they said, arguing that the controversy was exaggerated due to Yamal’s high profile. However, this defense did little to quell the backlash, with ADEE emphasizing that their criticism targeted the system that limits opportunities for people with dwarfism, not the individuals who participated.

A Star-Studded Event Under Fire

Despite the controversies, the party was a spectacle of celebrity and extravagance. Yamal shared the stage with rapper Chimbala, joined by Barcelona teammates and influencers like TheGrefg and IShowSpeed. The guest list also included high-profile figures like Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and singer Bad Gyal, adding to the event’s allure. The villa in Olivella featured performances, an open bar, and a carefully curated atmosphere, but the no-phone policy and strict guest vetting raised questions about what Yamal’s team sought to conceal.

Leaked images and videos, some posted by Yamal himself, offered glimpses of the event, showing scantily clad models and performers with dwarfism entering the venue. These images fueled public outrage, with critics arguing that the party’s excesses reflected poorly on Yamal’s image as a role model. A mural in Barcelona’s Joanic Square, unveiled to celebrate Yamal’s birthday and depicting him as a Superman-like figure with an “L” on his chest, was later vandalized with images of Disney’s Seven Dwarfs, a clear reference to the controversy. Journalist Edu Polo confirmed the vandalism, underscoring the public’s divided reaction to Yamal’s actions.

Barcelona’s Concerns and Yamal’s Response

The scandal has raised concerns at Barcelona, where Yamal recently signed a contract extension until 2031, earning €15 million annually and inheriting the iconic No. 10 jersey worn by Lionel Messi. Club officials are reportedly urging Yamal to stay grounded, fearing that his off-field behavior could derail his promising career. Comparisons to Neymar, whose extravagant lifestyle often overshadowed his talent, have surfaced, with commentators like Gonzalo Miro warning that Yamal risks following a similar path.

Yamal addressed the criticism indirectly during a press conference for his contract extension, stating, “I’m indifferent to criticism unless it comes from my family or close friends. I play for Barça, but outside of football, I enjoy my life.” His father also shared a video of the family dinner to highlight Yamal’s grounded side, but these efforts have done little to mitigate the public’s disapproval.

A Young Star at a Crossroads

At 18, Lamine Yamal is a football prodigy with an extraordinary record—25 goals in 106 appearances for Barcelona, a domestic treble in the 2024/25 season, and a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. Yet, his 18th birthday party has cast a shadow over his achievements, raising questions about his decision-making and the influence of his inner circle. The Spanish government’s investigation, coupled with public and legal scrutiny, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of navigating fame at a young age.

As Yamal prepares for the 2025/26 season, the football world watches closely. Will he rise above the controversy and focus on his craft, or will the allure of celebrity lead to further missteps? For now, his “wild and private” birthday bash remains a lightning rod for debate, highlighting the fine line between youthful exuberance and reckless excess.