Lamine Yamal joins UNICEF

Spanish player becomes ambassador for the United Nations agency for the defense and promotion of children’s rights

Lamine Yamal is the new UNICEF ambassador. At just 17 years old, the Spanish international joins the United Nations agency, whose main objectives are the defense and promotion of children’s rights.

The announcement was made through a video, published on social media, where the Barcelona player appears speaking to his younger brother, Keyne: «Hello Keyne, today I want to talk to you and all the children in the world, because this is a special day to celebrate childhood. Did you know that all children have special rights that protect them and help them grow up happy and healthy? These rights are written in a document called ‘The Convention on the Rights of the Child’. Did you know that playing is a right? Fortunately, I was able to play a lot as a child and now I’m lucky enough to continue doing so.

I’ll tell you a secret. When I step onto the field, I’m still the same kid I was back then, who likes to play ball. When people ask me how I play like that today, I think what matters is not being afraid of losing. And if I make a mistake, I try again. Like when I made sand castles and the sea took them away. How fun to start all over again. Playing makes us grow up happy. It doesn’t matter if it’s with friends, alone or with toys, the important thing is that you like it. You are the future. Always remember to play and be happy. I will always be there to help you do this and now I am joining UNICEF so that together we can work for children’s rights”, said Yamal .