WATCH: Lamine Yamal delights children in beach pick-up game

La Liga’s stars are resting up this week, as they get a rare week off as part of the winter break in Spain. A number of players have decided to head to warmer climes, including Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal.

The 18-year-old Spain forward is not alone. Real Madrid duo Dean Huijsen and Vinicius Junior have also traveled to Dubai, where their Barcelona counterpart is, while Eduardo Camavinga had headed to Angola, where he is in the process of setting up a charity, paying homage to the roots of his parents.

Lamine Yamal surprises children in Dubai

While he enjoys his holidays in Dubai, Lamine Yamal decided that he would join in with a pick-up game on the beach, asking some children if he could join in. Perhaps the greatest seaside game of their lives.

There’s making friends at the beach playing football and then there’s this… #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/dPYaUcdQJm

— Football España (@footballespana_) December 26, 2025

Jules Kounde also participates in game in Benin

Meanwhile Barcelona teammate Jules Kounde also took part in a pick-up game, all the way in Benin. Like Camavinga, Kounde was returning to the country of his parents’ origin, and decided he was also keen on a kickabout.

French International Footballer Joules Kounde playing Football on The streets of His ancestral country of Benin Republic yesterday ! 🎄❤

Imagine all The French players played for their respective african Nations of origin at the afcon 🏆 pic.twitter.com/iwFh9QJMFU

— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) December 26, 2025

The 27-year-old attended an event called ‘Ecris ton hymne’, managed by the organisation Patrimoinezer, as per MD. Their meta is to ‘give space to the creative potential of children through the Olympic spirit’, and Kounde spent three hours with the 50 children who were part of the project. He took with him a suitcase of Barcelona merchandise to hand out to the children in question.

Ig story Alejandro Balde. pic.twitter.com/WMGrorenho

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 25, 2025

Players to return to action on Monday

Like most teams, Barcelona’s players are due back in action on Monday the 29th of December. Barcelona will be preparing for the Catalan derby against Espanyol the following weekend, while Real Madrid’s players will face Real Betis, before both sides travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Supercup.