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I have experienced racism a thousand times
Confirmed
In Short: Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he has experienced racism 'a thousand times' in his career.
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he has experienced racism 'a thousand times' in his career, highlighting the ongoing issue of racial discrimination in football.
In an interview with broadcaster Movistar, Yamal opened up about his experiences, emphasizing that most of the racism he has faced has come from people who are unaware of their own comments or behavior.
The Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia reported in March that Yamal and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. were the most frequent targets of online racist abuse in Spain during the final quarter of 2025.
Yamal's comments have renewed attention on racism affecting Black footballers in Spain and across the sport.
Reflecting on his experiences, the 19-year-old said racism had been a regular feature of his career, noting that people sometimes make racist remarks or display offensive behavior without being aware of it.
He added that if someone calls him Black, it won't bother him, as he is proud of his identity.
Another aspect Yamal addressed was whether the comments were meant to offend him, indicating that indirect racism is still prevalent.
Yamal’s remarks add to the ongoing debate about racism in Spanish football, where several high-profile players have repeatedly spoken out about discriminatory abuse both in stadiums and on social media.
His comments have brought renewed focus to the issue, prompting discussions on how to address and mitigate racism in the sport.
What's confirmed
- Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal said he has experienced racism “a thousand times”, with many people unaware that their comments or behaviour are racist.
- The Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia said in a bulletin published in March that Lamine and Vinicius Jr were the most frequent targets of online racist abuse in Spain in the final quarter of 2025.
- “A thousand times,” Yamal said when asked whether he had experienced racism directly.
- "A thousand times. People are indirectly racist toward you, but maybe don't realise it," he said.
- Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal has spoken out, saying 'I have experienced racism a thousand times'.
- Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal says he has experienced racism “a thousand times”, describing it as a recurring part of his rise to prominence in football.
What's still developing
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