Spain winger Lamine Yamal has seen his three-year-old brother, Keyne, become an unexpected breakout sensation during Spain's World Cup campaign.
The toddler has captured hearts by cheering, blowing kisses, and celebrating in the stadium stands, with media dubbing him Spain's superstar in the stands.
Keyne was recently put in the spotlight after Spain defeated Belgium to advance to the semi-finals.
Television cameras captured Keyne pulling playful faces during post-match celebrations, making his older brother laugh from the pitch.
Lamine Yamal explained that his little brother had warned him a day prior.
"I was at physio and he called me, using my mum's phone, and told me that he was going to stick his tongue out tomorrow," Lamine Yamal said.
"So that's why when I saw him on the screen, it really made me laugh."
This is not Keyne's first taste of football limelight.
He previously joined his brother on the pitch during Spain's 2024 European Championship victory and accompanied Lamine Yamal to the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, walking the red carpet in a tiny suit and sneakers.
The Barcelona star, who turned 19 on Monday, has frequently expressed his deep bond with Keyne. "My little brother means everything to me," Lamine Yamal said.
"I'm in love with him; it feels like he's my son."
Keeping family close has been a priority throughout his meteoric rise.
He previously delayed an official contract photoshoot so his grandmother could attend, and frequently credits his parents for keeping him grounded.
When asked about the pressure of playing on the world stage, Lamine Yamal pointed to his family's past struggles.
"My mom had me when she was 16 – now that's real pressure," he told Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER.
"Then my dad had to go out and make a living, scavenging on the streets to bring food home.
That's pressure. All I have to do is play and keep the Spanish fans happy."
The winger expressed satisfaction in providing a comfortable life for his younger brother.
"I came from an apartment where the kitchen and bedroom were in the same place," Lamine Yamal said on a podcast last year.
"So I see my mother happy, I see that my brother can have the kind of childhood I would have wanted, and that's what makes me happiest."
