Lamine Yamal addresses racism, Ballon d'Or debates and World Cup win in Movistar interview

Experiences with racism and calls for sanctions

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal stated he has faced racism "a thousand times" during an hour-long interview broadcast on Movistar program Universo Valdano on Friday, 18 September 2026. Speaking with former Argentina international Jorge Valdano, the 19-year-old winger explained that subtle and indirect prejudice often occurs without the perpetrators realizing the nature of their behavior. Yamal recalled the October 2024 El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, where spectators directed racial abuse at him, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati. He noted that slurs regarding his skin color do not affect him personally because he accepts who he is, but he urged football governing bodies to enforce stricter penalties for offenders.

People are indirectly racist toward you, but maybe don't realise it. There are a lot of comments or looks that are racist and they don't even notice.

Yamal stressed that racist conduct occurring before millions of viewers and young children requires decisive disciplinary action. A bulletin released in March by the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia identified Yamal and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr as the most frequent targets of online racial abuse in Spain during the final quarter of 2025.

Ballon d'Or debates and European competition

The Barcelona attacker also discussed individual awards, arguing that the Ballon d'Or should be awarded to the best player in world football rather than solely to top goalscorers. He explained that specific scoring trophies already reward high goal tallies, referencing figures such as Kylian Mbappe, who led scoring in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup, and Harry Kane, who recorded 73 goals across the season. Yamal also explained his viewing preferences across European football, stating that he avoids early Champions League fixtures involving Bayern Munich because the German side routinely overwhelms opponents without competitive tension.

His comments prompted a viral social media reaction on Friday after Bayern Munich defeated Union Berlin 7-0 on matchday four of the Bundesliga. Union Berlin posted on X humorously blaming Yamal for motivating Bayern's forwards after Michael Olise scored three goals and Harry Kane scored two, alongside strikes from Jamal Musiala and Ismael Saibari. Following the match, Kane downplayed the remarks, stating that his performances on the pitch speak for themselves and that award voting remains outside his control.

Mentorship and international development

Yamal addressed his rapid ascent in international football following Spain's World Cup title in July, secured after a final victory against Argentina. He reflected on the guidance he received at age 16 from then national team captain Alvaro Morata before a friendly against Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu. Morata approached the teenage winger prior to kickoff to build his confidence ahead of his early senior appearances.

I know that you are the best in the world. You only need to believe it and prove it.

Morata's encouragement gave Yamal the determination to assert himself on the pitch during that fixture. Morata subsequently praised the winger during an appearance on the radio program El Partidazo on Cope, pointing to Yamal's preparation, work ethic, and tactical intellect beyond his natural talent.