“No one disrespected us, let us work in peace,” the unnamed performer told RAC1emphasizing that Yamal had done nothing wrong. “I don’t understand why there’s so much hype. We’re normal people who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.”

Yamal celebrated his 18th birthday on July 12 with a private gathering at a restaurant, before moving to another venue for a larger party. Over 200 guests, including his Barcelona teammates, influencers Buyer Brothers, TheGrefg, SofiG, IlloJuan and IShowSpeed, attended the party.

As part of the entertainment, Yamal hired a group of dwarf performers, which caught the attention of the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasia (ADEE). The association threatened legal action, accusing Yamal of potentially violating anti-discrimination laws.

Spain’s General Director of Disability Jesus Martin expressed concerns that Yamal’s actions could negatively influence others, as the young footballer is viewed as a role model, according to Mark.

However, the unnamed performer disagreed, stating that the public outcry was only amplifying the challenges faced by people in the dwarfism community, whose opportunities for performance work have been restricted for years.

“For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us; they want to ban a job that we like, and in no case have they offered jobs or courses to the affected people,” he said. We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical condition?”

Since he has signed a confidentiality agreement, the performer could not reveal specific details of the event but shared that their role involved “dancing, serving drinks, doing magic”. Afterward, the performers were invited to join the celebration.

“The backlash only started because it was Yamal’s party,” he said.

ADEE stated it would take legal and social action to protect the dignity of disabled individuals.

Under Spanish law, performances that mock or defame people with disabilities are prohibited, with penalties ranging from fines of $700,000 to over $1 million.

Yamal, who made his debut in the 2022-2023 season at just 15 years old, contributed significantly to Spain’s victory at the Euro. In the 2024-2025 season, he continued his stellar form, scoring 18 goals and assisting 25 times in 55 matches, helping Barcelona win La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, and Copa Del Rey.

On July 13, Yamal and his teammates returned to Barcelona. The club will tour Japan and South Korea at the end of the month to prepare for the 2025-2026 season, with their first match against Vissel Kobe on July 27 at Misaki Park, Japan.