'Lamine Yamal isn’t afraid to speak': Social media divided as Barcelona star waves Palestine flag

18-year-old football sensation Lamine Yamal sparked a new controversy as he was seen waving a Palestine flag during Barcelona's La Liga trophy parade on Monday. The video of Yamal, whose parents are from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, waving the Palestine flag is going viral on social media.

In the videos, Yamal can be seen waving the Palestinian flag from an open-top bus as fans lined up to welcome and celebrate the team in Barcelona. Barcelona had won the ongoing La Liga season with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday at home.

It's important to note that the Spanish city of Barcelona has been home to major anti-Israel or pro-Palestine protests since Israel launched attacks on Gaza in October 2023.

Lamine Yamal waves Palestine flag; fans divided

Meanwhile, Yamal raising the Palestine flag during the Barcelona celebration parade has divided fans. The Spanish wingers received praise from many, while a few also criticised him for doing social activism during an event related to the football club.

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"One of the biggest sports athletes in the world doing this is so powerful. It’s genuinely impossible to not love Lamine Yamal his parents done an amazing job raising him," a fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

One of the most popular accounts on X, that of Mario Nawfal, also praised Yamal for using his influence "unapologetically."

"Lamine Yamal raised the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga title parade," Mario Nawfal said. "The 17-year-old superstar made the gesture as the team celebrated on the streets of Barcelona.

"Yamal continues to use his platform unapologetically, and it’s clear the young phenom isn’t afraid to speak, or wave, his mind. Big moment."

While criticising Yamal's action, an X user wrote: "Lamine Yamal, the star of FC Barcelona and Spain’s national team, waving the Palestinian flag during today’s championship celebrations. A flag that represents terror and the murder of Jews. Disgusting."

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in his left leg in late April. He is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup that starts on 11 June.