Barcelona hand Lamine Yamal iconic shirt number as club look to allay fears of ‘bad influence’ in wake of ‘dwarves and escorts’ 18th birthday party

Barcelona have given Lamine Yamal a momentous vote of confidence by handing him the iconic shirt number worn by Lionel Messi.

The Spanish giants have presented the teenager with the number 10 shirt, whose proprietors down the years also include Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Gary Lineker.

It comes with the forward caught in a storm after his controversial 18th birthday party, with the Spanish government demanding an investigation.

It is claimed that ‘dwarves were exploited’ as entertainers at the lavish ‘mafia-themed’ bash, while women with ‘specific breast measurements were paid to attend’.

Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada has claimed that Barcelona chiefs are ‘very worried’ about Yamal after a notorious summer, which has also included a holiday with a 29-year-old Onlyfans model – though the pair deny any relationship. 

What a statement, then, for Barca to now hand Yamal the keys to their most legendary shirt, one with resonance of their greatest-ever player. 

Yamal stood beaming in the Camp Nou stadium’s shop surrounded by jerseys bearing his name and new digits.

‘When I was a child, my dream was to debut for Barca, to grow up and play with the No. 10,’ he said.

‘Every kid born in Barcelona dreams of that. Messi has made his way, and I’m going to make mine.’

He also had a pointed remark which could be interpreted in light of recent events. ‘I’m a bit indifferent to both criticism and praise if it doesn’t come from my family or friends. Right now, I’m very focused on football,’ he said during Wednesday’s ceremony. 

‘Ultimately, I work for Barca and I play for Baraa, but when I’m away from Ciudad Deportiva, I enjoy my life, and that’s it.’

That’s it, he may say, but it is harder to shrug off the headlines of recent days than that.

The Spain star returned to training under a cloud on Sunday after news of his exuberant birthday party, which around 200 family members, friends, and team-mates attended. 

A model named Claudio Calvo has claimed Yamal paid for 12 women with a ‘certain breast size’ to attend the bash and now the government are seeking a huge fine and probe into the mafia-themed bash following the outcry over paid attendees with Dwarfism.

After the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatened to take legal action, the Spanish government joined those condemning Yamal and demanded a probe into the party.

According to Marca, Yamal could be hit with a fine of up to £867,000 and the General Director of Disability in the government, Jesus Martín, wants ministers to approve an investigation.

He said: ‘We are concerned that people with money, people with power, believe themselves to be unpunished. The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful.’ Martin also expressed his fear that this kind of party could impact impressionable young fans who look up to Yamal and copy his behaviour.

The specifics around what exactly was asked of those with dwarfism in attendance remains murky but the group representing those with disabilities roundly condemned Yamal.

‘The ADEE, a member organization of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal,’ their statement read.

‘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.’

But one Spanish radio station caller, claiming to be one of the entertainers at Yamal;s party, anonymously told RAC1, via Marca: ‘No one disrespected us, let us work in peace.

‘I don’t understand why there’s so much hype about it.

‘We’re just normal people doing what we want in a completely normal legal manner.

The entertainer insisted that the public uproar comes amid a time when there are increased limits on his ability to perform, adding: ‘For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us.

‘They want to prohibit a job we love, and in no case have they offered work or courses to those affected. We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical conditions?

The performer hit out directly at the president of ADEE too, continuing: ‘There’s a new president who feels inferior, and wants to screw the rest of us.

‘We know what our limit is and we never cross it. We’re not monkeys in a fair.’

Having signed a confidentiality agreement before performing for Yamal and his guests, the entertainer was unable to share the specifics of the party, but did disclose that their role was to: ‘dance, give away shots, do magic – there are all kinds of shows’.

Afterwards, the performers were invited to join the party.

In the face of the criticism, the Barcelona star has simply shared a one-minute clip to fans on social media of his party, writing ‘Just 1 minute, enjoy it’.

The clip revealed the party took place at a private estate and had a mafia style theme.

Yamal had been dressed in a white suit with a red rose in his lapel, while his look included sunglasses and a cane.

The teenager was also seen wearing a £300,000 necklace featuring his initials “LY’, which had been gifted to him by Dominican rapper El Alfa.

Despite being a private event, where guests were not permitted to take mobile phones and take photos, parts of the teenager’s celebration have drawn criticism.

Spanish model, Calvo, who was Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022, claimed she was asked to attend the event.

Speaking on Spanish television show Tardear TV, alleged that organisers were seeking to hire 12 blonde women with specific breast sizes to attend the celebration.

She claimed the women would have been paid up to 20,000 euros, but would need to be available for 24 hours, with the location of the event not disclosed to them.

Calvo claimed she had backed out of the event after receiving the list of demands.

‘I have screenshots of everything, the conversations, they told me that the fee would be a certain amount between 10,000 and 20,000 euros,’ Calvo told Tardear TV.

‘But the truth is that you don’t really know what you’re getting into, because they don’t tell you what they really expect from you beyond “having a good time” at the party.

‘They asked for blonde girls with a certain breast size,’ Calvo claimed, adding organisers were looking for ‘models or escorts’.

Images have also reportedly emerged of the people with dwarfism entering the venue, where the party was held.

A number of pictures from the event have since been shared on social media, showing Yamal alongside some of his Barcelona team-mates, namely Gavi and Alejandro Balde.

In one clip the pair can be seen singing together on stage.

Reports from Spain claim that Yamal had earlier enjoyed a meal with close friends and family at the La Cupula restaurant south of the Catalan capital.

Yamal’s father shared a number of images from a separate get-together with his 1.2million followers on Instagram.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatened to take legal action against the Barcelona star.

ADEE president Carolina Puente added ‘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.

‘Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited.

‘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.

‘We will not remain silent. We will defend the dignity and rights of our community in all areas, and we will demand accountability so that acts like these never happen again.’

‘We invite all people with achondroplasia or skeletal dysplasia to contact the Association: we are here to support, guide, and build new opportunities.’

Yamal has not publicly commented on Calvo’s claims or criticism from the ADEE.