Anniversary controversy: FC Barcelona makes major decisions for Lamine Yamal

Amid the growing controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal's coming-of-age birthday celebration, FC Barcelona has just made some weighty decisions.

Barça’s wonderkid, Lamine Yamal, was set to be celebrated in grand style for his 18th birthday and the symbolic handover of the legendary number 10 shirt, once worn by Lionel Messi. Indeed, the Spanish champions had planned an extensive media operation this Wednesday: a public announcement of his contract extension until 2031, an event timed to coincide with the launch of Barça’s new kit, and, above all, the solemn passing of the iconic jersey. But all these plans have now been scrapped.

Yamal’s birthday party, hosted in a luxurious villa in Sitges for a reported €40,000, quickly sparked outrage. In response to the backlash, Barça has made a decisive move, according to AS. The handover of Messi’s number 10 to Yamal will now take place privately, away from the cameras. The club fears that media questions could overshadow the symbolic weight of this legacy. This abrupt change highlights Barça’s growing discomfort as the club faces a major image crisis surrounding its young star.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.