Spain’s darkest statistic — 60% of all racist abuse targets Lamine Yamal | OneFootball

The hidden cost of fame for Lamine Yamal

Shocking report reveals Lamine Yamal targeted by 60% of all racist abuse in Spanish football

A heartbreaking report from El País has exposed the shocking scale of racist abuse aimed at Lamine Yamal, with the teenage Barcelona star becoming the most targeted player in Spain across social media.

According to the investigation, 60 percent of all online racist attacks directed at footballers in Spain this year were aimed at Yamal who has been called "black" & "Moroccan" over 20000 time on X, Instagram and TikTok.

The revelations reportedly left Yamal’s family devastated. His father, Mounir Nasraoui was said to have broken down in tears during phone call with Barcelona president Joan Laporta pleading for the club to intervene and "stop the hate"

His mother Sheila Ibana also demanded immediate response from both the club and Spanish football authorities condemning what she described as "an intolerable climate of racism"

"He doesn’t show it, but he’s exhausted"

While Yamal’s inner circle insists the 17 year old remains focused on football, sources close to the family told El País that he is "emotionally drained" from being "at the center of every hateful debate"

Yamal who reportedly heard the comment himself, responded calmly:

A national problem: Vinicius Junior, Mbappe and others targeted

The El País study revealed that racism remains rampant across Spanish football, with Vinicius Junior ranking second on the list of most-abused players receiving 29 percent of all monitored hate post.

Others mentioned include Kylian Mbappe, Alejandro Balde, Brahim Diaz and Inaki Williams.

The day Yamal suffered the highest spike of abuse was 22 September, the night of the Ballon d’Or ceremony when he finished runner-up to Ousmane Dembele in the "Best Young Player" category.

The El País report concluded with strong appeal for cultural reform within Spanish football — urging clubs, the league and the media to foster respect and zero tolerance toward discrimination both inside stadiums and across digital platforms.