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

Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr were the most frequently targeted players in online racist abuse in Spain during the final quarter of 2025. | Photo Credit: AFP

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he has faced racism “a thousand times”, adding that many people do not realise their remarks or behaviour are racist.

The 19-year-old has been subjected to racial abuse as his profile has soared. In October 2024, video emerged appearing to show Lamine, Raphinha and Ansu Fati being racially abused during Barcelona’s match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A bulletin from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia in March stated that Lamine and Vinicius Jr were the most frequently targeted players in online racist abuse in Spain during the final quarter of 2025.

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Asked by former Argentina international Jorge Valdano in an interview with Movistar whether he had personally experienced racism, Lamine replied: “A thousand times. People are indirectly racist toward you, but maybe don’t realise it.” he said.

“There are a lot of comments or looks that are racist and they don’t even notice. If someone calls me Black, it’s not going to bother me at all, ultimately I’m Black, I’m not any other colour. Another thing is whether it’s good or bad, whether they’re saying it to offend me. But if I’m playing a match and they paid for a ticket to see me, I’m not going to get angry just because they disrespected me.” he added.

LaLiga has intensified its efforts to tackle racist abuse in stadiums after several high-profile incidents in Spanish football in recent years.