Meet Keyne: Lamine Yamal's little brother steals FIFA World Cup spotlight
Who is Keyne?
Keyne is Yamal's younger half-brother, born in September 2022 to Yamal's mother, Sheila Ebana, following her separation from Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui. Despite a 16-year age gap between the two brothers, Keyne has travelled with the family throughout Spain's World Cup campaign and become a fixture at matches, often spotted in the stands wearing his brother's number 19 jersey.
Viral moments throughout the tournament
Keyne's rise to internet fame began early in the tournament, when a fan-recorded video of him enthusiastically shouting "vamos" during Spain's win over Austria in the round of 32 spread widely on social media.
The moments kept coming: during Spain's quarterfinal win over Belgium, television cameras caught him pulling silly faces and sticking his tongue out on the stadium's big screen, prompting Yamal himself to look up and laugh.
After Spain's semifinal win over France, ESPN's SportsCenter shared a photo of Keyne enthusiastically waving toward his older brother, a moment that quickly circulated among fans.
He was also seen at MetLife Stadium ahead of the final wearing a blue Paw Patrol hat alongside his Spain jersey, cementing his status as one of the tournament's most talked-about supporters.
Also Read: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the FIFA World Cup 2026
Yamal, who turned 19 the week of the final, has spoken openly about how much his younger brother means to him. Following Spain's semifinal win, he told reporters that seeing his brother, mother, and friends living out the life they had always dreamed of moved him deeply, adding that his little brother meant everything to him and that loving him felt like loving a son of his own.
Yamal has also reflected on his brother's newfound fame, saying Keyne doesn't seem to realise the attention he receives, simply acting the same at home as he does in front of the cameras, and that he personally enjoys seeing the outpouring of love for him online.
Spanish and international media have widely dubbed Keyne the unofficial breakout star of the tournament, with some outlets even nicknaming him "Spain's superstar fan" for the way his celebrations have resonated with viewers far beyond football's usual audience.
