Barcelona Sensation Lamine Yamal Delays Contract Photoshoot for Grandmother’s Presence
In a heartwarming display of humility and devotion, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, the rising star of Barcelona and Spanish football, has delayed the official photoshoot for his new club contract to ensure his grandmother’s presence. The teenager, who has captured the hearts of fans and pundits alike with his exceptional talent on the pitch and his grounded personality, credits his paternal grandmother, Fatima, with keeping him humble after his parents separated when he was just three years old.
According to a report by The Guardian, Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Lamine Yamal had signed a new contract in the presence of the club president, Joan Laporta, and sporting director Deco. The deal, which keeps him at the club until 2031, comes with a staggering buyout clause of €1bn (£840m). However, the official photo session for the signing was postponed until July, when Lamine Yamal turns 18, as Fatima was unable to attend on Tuesday.
The Guardian understands that Fatima played a pivotal role in Lamine Yamal’s upbringing after his mother, Sheila Ebana, from Equatorial Guinea, and his father, Mounir Nasraoui, separated. Fatima, who left Morocco in 1990 and arrived in Barcelona with her five children, has been a constant influence in Lamine Yamal’s life. In fact, when Lamine Yamal offered to buy her a house, she refused, preferring to stay in Rocafonda, the working-class neighbourhood in Mataró, a coastal town north of Barcelona.
Lamine Yamal’s roots in Rocafonda are evident in his celebrations on the pitch. He often marks his goals by forming the numbers 304 with his hands, a nod to the Rocafonda postal code. As The Guardian notes, Lamine Yamal joined Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy in 2014 at the age of six and made his first-team debut in 2023. His meteoric rise has seen him become the youngest player to appear in the Uefa European Championship, scoring a stunning goal against France in the semi-finals.
The young footballer’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. Last year, he became the youngest player to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, winning the Kopa Trophy for best young player. At just 16, he broke the record held by his Barcelona teammate Gavi as Spain’s youngest goalscorer. As The Guardian reports, Lamine Yamal’s use during the European Championship was constrained by local labour laws that prohibit anyone under 18 from working after 8pm.
As Lamine Yamal looks to the future, it is clear that his family, particularly his grandmother Fatima, will continue to play a vital role in his life. As quoted in The Guardian, Lamine Yamal’s gesture to delay the photoshoot for his grandmother’s presence is a testament to his humble nature and the importance of his family in his life.
In an era where footballers are often criticized for their perceived arrogance and disconnect from their roots, Lamine Yamal’s story serves as a refreshing reminder of the values of humility and family. As The Guardian so eloquently put it, Lamine Yamal is indeed a "phenomenon" who is winning hearts and minds with his exceptional talent and his down-to-earth personality.
