According to several reports, including one from the BBC, Yamal’s recent 18th birthday celebration has stirred serious controversy. The youngster reportedly threw a lavish bash and allegedly hired people with dwarfism for entertainment. This didn’t sit well with many, and things escalated quickly.

Omo, social media no dey waste time.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain has now reportedly filed a complaint against the player. Since then, criticism has been flying in from all angles. Some fans are upset, while others are calling for more sensitivity from someone constantly in the public eye.

Enter Rivaldo — a respected figure in world football and a certified Blaugrana legend. In an interview quoted by Barca Universal, the Brazilian didn’t mince words. He described the situation as “annoying and sad”, urging Yamal to shut down the noise and focus on his football.

“Hopefully there won’t be any more rumours, because that’s annoying, it’s sad,” Rivaldo said.

He went further to advise the young baller to reflect on his journey so far and remember everything he’s achieved at such a young age. E no easy to blow at 16, abeg!

Let’s not forget, Yamal is currently one of the front-runners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona lift a domestic treble last season. At just 16 years old, he’s already become a key figure for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Big pressure, big expectations!

But this birthday drama has now put a dent in his otherwise clean image. Whether the incident was a misunderstanding or poor judgment, Rivaldo’s message was clear: stay grounded and let your football do the talking.