Havana, June 11 (RHC) – Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador today, a distinction that promotes the right of all children to play, especially in vulnerable and emergency contexts.
The announcement coincides with International Play Day and the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a synchronicity that transforms the symbolic gesture into a global message about children and their rights.
“I feel incredibly proud,” said the Barcelona and Spanish national team winger, recalling that in his childhood, a family, a ball, and a park were all it took to sustain hope and build a sense of belonging.
At just 18 years old, Yamal warned that millions of children grow up without safe spaces to play, a lack that not only limits fun but also erodes skills, relationships, and the possibility of imagining a different future.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) emphasized that the footballer provides a voice capable of transcending stadiums and borders to amplify the defense of children in a world where conflict and poverty continue to plague childhood.
Chief Executive Catherine Russell noted that the player’s commitment serves as a reminder that all children deserve to play, grow and thrive, while a recent report reveals that 90 million lack toys and 80 million do not play with an adult at home.
