Four individuals have been arrested following a knife attack on the father of young Spanish football star Lamine Yamal in Catalonia, according to local police reports shared with AFP on Thursday.
The incident occurred at 19:10 GMT on Wednesday in a parking lot in the Catalan town of Mataro, about 30 kilometers from Barcelona, in the Rocafonda neighborhood where Lamine Yamal grew up, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force.
Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, was stabbed multiple times and is currently receiving treatment at Can Ruti Hospital. AFP was unable to reach him for comment.
A source close to the family informed AFP that Nasraoui is now “out of danger” and remains under observation in a “stable” condition. When asked about his potential release date from the hospital, the source declined to provide further details.
Three individuals were arrested on Wednesday night and are being questioned at the Mataro police station, while a fourth suspect was taken into custody at 09:00 GMT on Thursday morning.
Investigators plan to interview the victim and witnesses as soon as possible to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, according to police.
Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported that the incident occurred following an argument in the street with several men who had approached Nasraoui while he was walking his dog. The men later returned to assault him.
Lamine Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 in April 2023, emerged as a key player for the Catalan giants last season. The 18-year-old Spanish winger played a crucial role in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, becoming the youngest-ever footballer to play and score in the competition’s history.
Yamal’s father and grandmother continue to reside in Rocafonda, and he often celebrates goals by making a ‘304’ gesture with his hands, symbolizing the postcode of his neighborhood.
Nasraoui gained fame during the European Championship for his active social media presence and frequent media appearances, where he regularly expressed support for his son.
