'Wish I was there' - Barcelona president reacts to Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party as Joan Laporta insists there is 'nothing to criticise'

Blaugrana wonderkid Yamal has courted controversy on the back of a lavish celebration that was attended by friends, family and celebrity guests. Some of the entertainment on offer at said soiree has attracted unwelcome attention.

Laporta insists that Yamal did nothing wrong and was merely having a good time. Barcelona have no plans to discuss off-field behaviour with another product of their famed academy system, with it important for players to relax and unwind away from the field.

Laporta told Mundo Deportivo: "It was a private party, and Lamine knows that from now on, everything he does will be under the spotlight and subject to scrutiny. In my view, he simply threw an 18th birthday party - and honestly, what I regret is not being there! It was an extraordinary event, everyone had a great time, and they all looked very sharp. Why did he celebrate it like that? Because they’re 18 years old!"

Barca supremo Laporta added: "They picked a fun, youthful theme, and he celebrated with friends, entertainers, influencers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and singers. From that perspective, I’m glad he had a great time. It was a private event, and afterward, he showed up to training and worked as hard as anyone. So there’s nothing to criticise - quite the opposite, I congratulate him. I’m happy they enjoyed a great birthday celebration."

Having reached a landmark birthday, Yamal has been cleared to sign a lucrative new contract with Barcelona. It has also been revealed that he will be inheriting the iconic No.10 shirt once worn by the likes of Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.