He has turned into a social media regular, filmed sending kisses, cheering enthusiastically for his side and dashing through arena seating areas. At just a short height, this small child has emerged as the surprise highlight of Spain's World Cup journey.

"This time the biggest sensation of the event is not a player, the scores or even the prize," noted Hola! - Spain's version of Hello! magazine. "It is Keyne, Lamine Yamal's three-year-old brother, who is captivating the tournament with his amusing antics."

Many others agree. Across Spanish and international media, Keyne has been called "the standout of the 2026 World Cup," "Spain's standout supporter in the stands" and "the most adored figure" of the event.

The lively youngster was again in focus on Friday after Spain defeated Belgium to reach the semi-finals. During the team's celebrations, cameras turned to Keyne as he reacted with a string of playful expressions.

Down on the field, Lamine Yamal smiled upon seeing Keyne extend his tongue on the arena's large displays. Clips of Keyne's lively behavior quickly spread online. "It is Keyne's world and we are all just living in it," observed the digital outlet SPORTbible.

After the game, Lamine Yamal told reporters that his sibling had shared his idea the day before. "I was at physio when he rang using my mum's phone and said he planned to stick out his tongue the next day," the right-winger noted. "That is why seeing him on screen made me laugh."

Keyne is already well known to many in Spain. In 2024 he joined his brother on the pitch as Spain won a record fourth European Championship, and later walked the red carpet with him at the Ballon d'Or event in Paris wearing a small black suit and trainers.

He also appears often on the social media accounts of Lamine Yamal and their mother Sheila Ebana, entertaining Lamine Yamal's over 50 million TikTok followers by dancing, baking cookies or trying golf.

The Barcelona player has spoken openly about his close bond with Keyne, born to the same mother but a different father following his parents' separation during his early years.

"My little brother means everything to me," Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, told reporters this month. "I am in love with him; it feels like he is my son."

The comment followed footage of Keyne raising his arms and shouting "¡Vamos!" as Spain beat Austria to reach the round of 16.

Clips of Keyne's excitement at Spain's progress spread rapidly, shared by accounts such as the Spanish embassy in the UK with the caption "¡Viva España!"

Keyne's visibility at the World Cup aligns with Lamine Yamal's consistent choice to have family join him during his swift rise from schoolboy to football star; last year the teenager postponed the official photoshoot for his new club contract until his grandmother could attend.

Lamine Yamal has also mentioned his family often in interviews, including one this month when asked how he handles pressure as one of Spain's top players.

Lamine Yamal dismissed the weight, pointing to his family's past. "My mom had me when she was 16 - now that is 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 is pressure. All I have to do is play and keep the Spanish fans happy."

Away from the field, much of Lamine Yamal's joy appears to come from now being able to improve his family's situation, especially for Keyne.

"I came from an apartment where the kitchen and bedroom were in the same place," he 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 is what makes me happiest."