Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, has addressed the controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday celebration, which took place on July 13 and went viral due to the presence of influencers, artists, and celebrities from the entertainment world. While the party sparked debate in the media, Laporta stood firmly in defense of the young star.

“It was a private party, and everything Lamine does now will be under scrutiny. What bothers me most is that I wasn’t there,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “They were all very elegant, it was an extraordinary party, and they had a great time.”

Was Yamal Disciplined by the Club?

Laporta made it clear that Yamal faced no consequences and had acted professionally after the event.

“He’s 18, he was with his friends, and he celebrated like any young person his age. I’m happy he enjoyed his birthday,” Laporta added.
He also mentioned that the winger showed up to training the next day “just like everyone else,” dismissing any notion of internal tension.

The celebration, which included prominent YouTubers, TikTokers, and digital personalities, quickly gained traction online, with clips and photos flooding social media.

What Did Laporta Say About Rashford’s Arrival?

In the same interview, Laporta confirmed that Marcus Rashford was his top choice for Barcelona’s summer signings.

“I’m very happy because we landed the one I liked the most,” he said.

While Luis Díaz was also considered “a very complete player,” the high price tag demanded by Liverpool made that deal unfeasible. Laporta also acknowledged the failed pursuit of Nico Williams, another name heavily linked to the club.

Regarding Rashford, Laporta stated that he “arrived like a rock” and emphasized that the 26-year-old forward is at the perfect age to thrive in Barcelona. He credited sporting director Deco with leading the charge for the transfer, ultimately swaying him to approve the move after reviewing the technical staff’s analysis.

As the club focuses on building a new project under Hansi Flick, Yamal’s birthday party is now seen as just a light-hearted anecdote rather than a serious controversy.