Lamine Yamal Faces Majority of Online Racist Abuse in Spain

Lamine Yamal is at the center of a disturbing trend in Spanish football, as a recent study reveals he is the target of 60% of all racist attacks online in Spain during the 2024–25 season. The Barcelona star, just 17 years old, has become the primary victim of vitriolic abuse, highlighting an urgent issue within the sport and society.

Lamine Yamal Endures Unprecedented Online Hate

The Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (Oberaxe) conducted a comprehensive study, published by El Pais, using artificial intelligence to analyze over 33,000 racist attacks online throughout the 2024–25 La Liga campaign. Their data showed that Yamal received 60% of these attacks, far surpassing any other player in the league. In comparison, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, previously considered the most targeted, was subjected to 29% of all racist online abuse.

A staggering 62% of these hateful messages were posted on Facebook, with X (formerly Twitter) accounting for another 10%, underscoring how social media platforms remain battlegrounds for targeted harassment.

Focus on La Liga’s Top Players and Clubs

Alongside Yamal and Vinicius, several other prominent players were also targeted. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe experienced 3% of all such attacks, while Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, Real’s Brahim Diaz, and Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams each were victims of around 2%. This pattern reinforces the troubling reality faced by top talents in Spanish football.

Club-wise, the study found that Real Madrid players were targeted in 34% and Barcelona’s in 32% of all hate messages. Other clubs such as Real Valladolid (17%), Valencia (8%), Athletic Club (6%), and Real Sociedad (6%) also appeared prominently in the data, demonstrating the widespread nature of this problem across the league.

Lamine Yamal and the Fight Against Racism in Football

The issue of racism in Spanish football has prompted legal action in recent years. In May 2025, five individuals received suspended sentences for the racial abuse of Vinicius Junior during a 2022 match against Real Valladolid, marking an unprecedented moment in the country’s fight against hate crimes in sport. La Liga highlighted the ruling as a critical step forward, stating that intolerance and hate have no place in football.

Authorities remain vigilant against further incidents. In October, Spain’s anti-violence commission recommended a significant fine for a Real Oviedo supporter accused of racially abusing Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford during a September match. Surveillance technology and robust tracking enabled the identification of the alleged perpetrator, with ongoing criminal proceedings reflecting the serious approach being taken.

Lamine Yamal’s Resilience Shines On

Despite the relentless abuse, Lamine Yamal continues to impress on the field. The young winger is expected to feature for Barcelona against Celta Vigo, as the Catalan side seeks to close the gap to league leaders Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior and Real will look to bounce back in their fixture versus Rayo Vallecano.

This ongoing challenge only highlights the resilience and professionalism of players like Yamal and Vinicius, who continue to perform at the highest level amid unacceptable hostility.

Opinion: Football Must Stand United Against Hate

The shocking statistics surrounding Lamine Yamal’s experience are a wake-up call for Spanish football and the global sports community. No player—especially one so young—should bear the weight of such abuse. Clubs, leagues, and social media companies must not only enforce existing rules but also step up their efforts in education, monitoring, and technological solutions to eradicate racism from the game. The resilience of Yamal and his peers is inspiring, but lasting change will require collective action from all levels of the sport.

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