'We thought it was normal' - Controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party played down by Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi

Yamal came under fire in July for allegedly hiring people with dwarfism to work at his 18th birthday party. However, Blaugrana team-mate Cubarsi, who also attended the lavish event near Barcelona, has tried to pour cold water on the incident.

He told Cadena SER: "You guys talked more about Yamal’s birthday party than we did in the locker room. We thought it was normal, and we were there with him to celebrate his coming of age, so we’re happy for him. I was a little more formal, wearing a suit and being calm."

Despite Cubarsi's comments, Spain's Ministry of Social Rights asked the country's prosecutor's office to investigate Yamal's actions - which could lead to big trouble for the winger. He was also criticised by The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism as concerns grew about Yamal's behaviour.

While this birthday topic continues to bubble away in the background, Yamal and Cubarsi could feature for Barcelona in their next pre-season friendly on Monday against K-League side Daegu as their tour of Asia continues.