Lamine Yamal addresses controversy over July birthday party, denies exploitation claims

Lamine Yamal has publicly responded to allegations that surrounded his 18th birthday party in July, saying he found the controversy "funny" and rejecting claims that he exploited people with dwarfism or personally selected women to attend the event.

The Barcelona forward, a La Masia graduate and one of Spain's most prominent young players, spoke to the Spanish programme Resonancia de Corazon nearly two months after the gathering. He said: "I wasn't mad. I found it funny. They tried to smear it in many ways. A woman said I chose the girls one way or another, and it was all a lie. Then there was the thing about the waiters, who were working there."

Reports in Spain said the "Mafia"-themed party, attended by about 200 friends, family and team-mates, included hired waiters with Achondroplasia and women allegedly invited based on physical measurements. The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) said it was considering legal action over the hiring claims. Jesus Martin, Spain's general director of disability policy, told Marca that ministers should examine the case and warned that people with power must not believe themselves above the law. Martin also expressed concern that the party's reported arrangements could influence young fans.

Spanish model Claudia Calvo, who was Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022, told Tardear TV that she had been approached to attend and was offered between 10,000 and 20,000 euros for 24-hour availability on the day. Calvo said she withdrew after being shown a list of demands and alleged organisers sought "blonde girls with a certain breast size," describing the request as seeking "models or escorts." Organisers have disputed some accounts; Yamal denied personal involvement in recruiting women.

Yamal has not commented publicly about any legal steps but acknowledged the media attention and asserted his version of events in the interview. The Barcelona forward has continued his professional commitments since the summer controversy. He scored twice in Barcelona's first three LaLiga matches of the season and provided three assists for Spain during World Cup qualifying games against Bulgaria and Turkey in the international break.

The player has also been publicly linked with Argentine rapper Nicki Nicole, 25, who attended the July celebration. Yamal confirmed the relationship in mid-August while celebrating her birthday. Reports of a brief split later in August were undercut by a social-media clip shared by Spain team-mate Nico Williams showing Yamal smiling and displaying a photo of Nicole on his phone screensaver.

Advocacy groups and government officials have said they will review allegations tied to the event. ADEE described the reported hiring of people with dwarfism as potentially exploitative, and Martin told Marca that an investigation would be appropriate if the facts warranted it. No formal charges or government inquiries have been announced publicly as of Yamal's interview.

Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut as a teenager and has emerged as a regular for both club and country, has seen his on-field progress continue despite the off-field scrutiny. He returned to first-team action after the summer break and is scheduled to resume club duties as Barcelona navigate domestic and European fixtures.