Lamine Yamal
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2026
“I am incredibly proud to become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Growing up, all I had was a family, a ball, a park and a dream. Playing football gave me structure, a sense of belonging and hope for the future. I know how important it is for children to have a safe place to play so that they can simply enjoy being children, discovering the world, imagining and growing. Yet, millions of children around the world are growing up without safe spaces to play. When children are denied the chance to play, they miss out on opportunities to build skills, make friends and imagine a brighter future.”
Lamine Yamal, 18, is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in world football. Playing for FC Barcelona and the Spain national football team, Lamine has broken numerous age-related records and established himself as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Known for his creativity, technical ability and maturity on the pitch, he has become a role model for a new generation of young fans around the world.
Born in 2007 in Spain, Lamine is the son of a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother and often speaks proudly of his roots and the community that shaped him. Football was a constant presence throughout his childhood, and he joined Barcelona’s renowned La Masia Academy at a young age, quickly progressing through the club’s youth ranks.
Lamine made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2023, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player in the modern era. He soon earned his first senior call-up for Spain and went on to become the youngest player and goal scorer in the national team’s history.
Despite his rapid rise to fame, Lamine remains closely connected to his childhood experiences and understands the importance of having safe spaces where children can play, learn and grow.
In his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Lamine will focus on every child’s right to play, supporting children living through conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. With over 87 million combined followers and a young fanbase not just across Europe but globally, he brings the ability to reach and inspire audiences and build on his previous commitment to children's rights.
Lamine also supports UNICEF’s Play for Every Child initiative, which rallies the entertainment, music, sport and gaming industries for children's rights.