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LOS ANGELES — Spain’s 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal might be dazzling the world on the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the tournament’s biggest breakout star just might be his three-year-old brother, Keyne.
During Spain’s thrilling 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium, the cameras panned to the crowd and found little Keyne celebrating enthusiastically. The toddler delivered a series of funny faces, confidently sticking his tongue out for the giant stadium screens. Down on the pitch, Yamal spotted the antic and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“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,” Yamal told reporters after the match. “So that’s why when I saw him on the screen, it really made me laugh.”
Keyne’s playful celebrations instantly went viral. Spanish and international media outlets are already calling him “Spain’s superstar in the stands” and the “most beloved personality” of the 2026 World Cup. The toddler, who previously celebrated on the pitch after Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 and walked the red carpet in a tiny suit at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, has become a massive hit with fans across social media.
For Yamal, having his family close by keeps him grounded amidst the immense pressure of leading a nation’s World Cup dreams. “My little brother means everything to me,” the Barcelona star shared. “I’m in love with him; it feels like he’s my son.”
As Spain gears up for a highly anticipated semi-final clash against France, supporters are just as excited to see what Keyne does in the stands as they are to watch his older brother work his magic on the ball.
“I see my mother happy, I see that my brother can have the kind of childhood I would have wanted,” Yamal added when reflecting on his family’s journey. “And that’s what makes me happiest.”
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