Lamine Yamal under fire for allegedly hiring people with dwarfism for entertainment

Lamine Yamal (Pic: AFP)

Barcelona's rising star, Lamine Yamal, is facing significant backlash after reports emerged that his 18th birthday celebration featured people with dwarfism hired as entertainers.

Spain's Ministry of Social Rights has formally requested that prosecutors launch an investigation into the reported incident. Ministry director Jesús Martín Blanco told Europa Press that such hirings 'take us back to the Middle Ages'. A local association for people with disabilities had already condemned the alleged hirings, saying it would take action 'legally and socially' against those responsible for promoting such actions, reported news agency Associated Press.

The controversy comes at a time when Yamal's professional career is soaring. Following standout performances in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and a sensational showing at the 2024 European Championships, the young winger has been touted as one of the leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or. His meteoric rise has drawn comparisons to legendary figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, not everyone is ready to anoint Yamal as the sport's next great icon. In a recent Twitch livestream with American content creator 2xRaKai, 15-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. was asked to name his all-time favorite footballer. Without hesitation, he answered, 'My dad'. The son of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner added a sharp comment directed at Yamal, saying the Barcelona star 'still has a long way to go' before he can be compared to his father. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr., who currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history.

At 40, his legendary career has spanned decades of dominance across Europe's biggest clubs, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, during which he has broken an extraordinary number of records. Now, he stands on the verge of yet another historic milestone: becoming the first footballer in history to score 1,000 officially registered professional goals.

On the other hand, Yamal is widely regarded as the most exciting young talent in world football today. With his electrifying performances for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, the teenage sensation has taken European football by storm in recent seasons.

(With inputs from AP)