TvBoy's Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé Mural Vandalized in Barcelona

Urban artist TvBoy painted a mural depicting FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé sharing a passionate kiss at the intersection of Carrer de les Basses de Sant Pere and Carrer d’en Cortines in Barcelona, two days before the Clàssic at Camp Nou. The artwork, which features a golden football at the players’ feet in a nod to the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26, was vandalized within an hour of its completion, according to its author.

Vandalism Strikes the Carrer d’en Cortines Artwork

The mural barely lasted sixty minutes before individuals attempted to erase the painted mouths of both players. TvBoy denounced the vandalism on social media, emphasizing the deliberate intent behind the piece. “The work didn’t even last an hour,” the artist stated, describing the piece as “a kiss against violence and homophobia in football” and adding that it stands as “proof that this message continues to be necessary.” The painting quickly accumulated thousands of likes online despite the swift defacement in the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighborhood.

Un beso contra la violencia y la homofobia en el fútbol.La obra no duró ni una hora.Una prueba más de que este mensaje sigue siendo necesario. pic.twitter.com/GCWCYhevtq

— https://x.com/DiarideGirona/status/2113641128763482168

Echoes of the 2017 Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Mural

This installation mirrors a similar piece executed by TvBoy in April 2017 prior to another Clàssic. That earlier work, titled Love or Hate, depicted Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo locked in a kiss at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya. While the 2017 mural showed Messi holding a rose ahead of the Sant Jordi celebrations, the current iteration shifts focus to the modern era’s top Ballon d’Or contenders.

Ballon d’Or Context Ahead of the Clàssic

Both Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé appear among the primary favorites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in London on Monday, October 26. The golden football painted at their feet on the Barcelona wall highlights their current status in global football. The fixture itself takes place at Camp Nou, drawing immense attention as Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to meet on the pitch.