Barcelona player and Spanish football star Lamine Yamal waved a large Palestinian flag from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade in Barcelona on May 11, following their 2-0 win over Real Madrid that clinched the 2025-26 La Liga title, Barcelona’s 29th league crown and second straight championship [1, 2, 3].
An estimated 750,000 fans filled the streets to celebrate the title success, according to local authorities [3, 4]. Yamal, aged 18 and of Moroccan descent, missed the match due to injury but participated in the parade [2, 3, 5]. The young Muslim star, regarded as one of football’s brightest talents, posted photos of himself holding the Palestinian flag on Instagram [3, 5].
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he personally did not like Yamal's gesture but acknowledged the player’s autonomy, stating, "I don't like [Yamal's action]. I spoke with him. I said if he wants this, it is his decision. He is old enough. He's 18 years old" [5]. The Palestinian Football Association publicly thanked Yamal for the pro-Palestinian gesture [6].
The act sparked controversy amid ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemning Yamal’s display as "inciting hate" while Israeli soldiers combat Hamas. Katz said, "Lamine Yamal chose to incite hate against Israel while our soldiers combat the terrorist organisation Hamas, an organisation that massacred, raped and burned Jewish children, women and the elderly on October 7 [2023]" [4].
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended Yamal, calling the flag-waving "an expression of solidarity with Palestine that millions of Spaniards feel." Sanchez said, "Those who think that waving the flag of a state is ‘inciting hatred’ have either lost their minds or they have been blinded by their own disgrace. Lamine just expressed the solidarity with Palestine that millions of Spaniards feel. Yet another reason to be proud of him" [7].
Since October 2023, Spain and Barcelona have faced diplomatic tension involving Spain's recognition of Palestine and the Israel-Gaza war [1, 8, 7]. In Gaza, a mural depicting Yamal waving the Palestinian flag has been painted on buildings damaged by the conflict [9, 7].
Yamal said on social media, "It’s unbelievable. They are always with us, on the important days and the less important ones. This is the club of our lives, and we will always be here for them. We love them." He also added, "We have to give every trophy its true value because winning is not easy. We went through very difficult years, but now we are enjoying what we are living through" [6].
The next scheduled event is Barcelona’s continued season engagements and upcoming national and international matches as the club prepares for the 2026-27 campaign.
