Lamine Yamal, who did win the young player of the year award on Monday, is not simply a footballer, he is a mirror for his generation. For decades, football sold us the idea that greatness came through sacrifice and humility. Lionel Messi spoke of the Ballon d'Or as a "consequence of the team's work". Cristiano Ronaldo turned discipline into theatre, sculpting his body into a monument of effort.
Lamine is so young, he can enjoy the life. He has to enjoy the life because everything, not only in football, but outside of it, is in front of him. Of course, that will be also a tough moment for him, how to handle it, all things around him. For sure, that will be not easy but he has to also enjoy everything.
We publicly denounce the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal. The Association will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these facts violate not only current legislation, but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that claims to be egalitarian and respectful.