Lamine Yamal: the Most Targeted Footballer on Social Media in Spain
Lamine Yamal and Vinícius Jr. top the list of the most racially targeted footballers in Spain, with over 20,000 insults directed at the young FC Barcelona player during the 2024–25 season, according to a report by the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (Oberaxe).
Lamine Yamal: the main target of racism on social media
The young FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has become the most affected footballer by hate speech in Spain. According to the report from the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (Oberaxe), 60% of racist attacks recorded on social media during the 2024–25 season were aimed at him, more than 20,000 offensive posts.
The FARO system, powered by artificial intelligence, monitored a total of 33,438 reportable pieces of content. However, only 33% of those posts were removed by platforms, with Facebook deleting 62% and X just 10%, highlighting the unequal response from tech companies to the problem.
Vinícius Jr. and other players also under fire
The second most affected footballer was Vinícius Jr., the Real Madrid forward, with 29% of racist attacks. Other players who received insults include Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, Kylian Mbappé, Alejandro Balde, Brahim Díaz, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati.
The monitored messages showed explicit and dehumanizing language. Some comments even portrayed the players as a “threat to society.”
Sporting events that amplify hate
Oberaxe found that the intensity of racist messages increases during high-visibility matches. For instance, the first El Clásico of the season between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (October 27 and 28, 2024) coincided with spikes of 3,675 and 2,855 posts, respectively.
During those matches, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati were the main targets of racial insults, while Vinícius Jr. also suffered abuse after publicly denouncing racist incidents.
Institutional reactions and platform responsibility
The response from institutions and social media platforms has been uneven. Facebook proved more effective in removing reported content, while X showed limited action. The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, acknowledged the need for self-criticism and stronger measures: “There should never be room for an insult, especially one that dehumanizes, not even in sports.”
The report also highlights that sports rivalry, combined with social polarization and issues such as immigration and religion, fuels the spread of hate, especially toward Muslim and North African players, who account for over 40% of those affected.
