Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he has faced countless racist incidents
Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal told a Movistar interview that he has experienced racism repeatedly, often from people unaware of their bias.
During a televised interview, Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal described enduring racism "a thousand times" throughout his rise in professional football. He noted that many individuals make racist comments or gestures without recognizing their prejudice. Yamal referenced footage from a Barcelona versus Real Madrid game at the Santiago Bernabeu in October 2024 that appeared to show him, teammate Raphinha and Ansu Fati being subjected to racist abuse.
He emphasized that being called Black does not affect him and that he does not become angry at spectators who attend his matches. The Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia previously identified Yamal and Vinicius Jr as frequent targets of online racist attacks. In response to a series of high-profile incidents, LaLiga has stepped up its efforts to fight racism inside stadiums.
Why it matters
The remarks highlight ongoing racism in Spanish football and pressure leagues to enforce stronger anti-discrimination measures.
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