Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal has added a new twist to his game — but this time it’s not with the ball at his feet.
The 18-year-old forward has begun celebrating goals by placing an imaginary crown on his head, a move inspired by NBA legend LeBron James.
While it looks harmless to many, the gesture has stirred debate in Spain, where parts of the media have labeled it “boastful” and questioned whether it suits a player seen as a young role model.
Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Since making his Barcelona debut at just 15, he has been under constant spotlight.
With the famous No.10 shirt on his back and talk of a Ballon d’Or in the future, every action — on and off the pitch — is now closely examined.
His new celebration has only added fuel to that fire.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente opens up on Lamine Yamal’s new celebration
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente offered a different view, suggesting the reaction may have been blown out of proportion.
“To me, the celebration was not crowning himself. It looked like him putting on a magician’s hat. I told myself while watching the TV: ‘Well, the kid has done another magic trick’. That’s how I understood it,” he explained.
De la Fuente went further, stressing the work behind the wonderkid’s rise. “He’s always taken care of himself with top standards. He trains six hours per day, goes to the gym, does the treatments with physios and everything we call ‘invisible training’. Everything Lamine has achieved is not because he threw a birthday party, or because the way he celebrates a goal. No. Those are meaningless details. What we need to highlight is the work he puts in to make this happen.”
The young forward has faced scrutiny before, from paparazzi following his holidays to debate over his private life.
Yet Yamal reportedly accepts the spotlight as part of being Barcelona’s new face. For him, the celebration is simply part of expressing himself — a nod to another sporting great he admires.
Whether it’s a crown or a magician’s hat, the gesture is unlikely to fade soon. Yamal continues to score goals and deliver for both club and country. And with his career still in its early chapters, this may just be the beginning of his quest to become football’s next king.
Barcelona news and related links
- Barcelona star sets out World Cup No.9 mission with Spain
- Barcelona star to miss next La Liga clash ahead of Champions League opener against Newcastle
- Bayern Munich chief takes a brutal swipe at Barcelona over financial management