Four people have been arrested after a knife attack on the father of young Spanish football star Lamine Yamal in Catalonia.
The attack took place at 19.10h on Wednesday in a car park in the Catalan town of Mataró, around 30 km from Barcelona, in the Rocafonda neighbourhood where Lamine Yamal is from, said a spokesman for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan police.
Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed several times the police said, and is being treated at the Can Ruti Hospital. According to Spanish media, he is reportedly now ‘out of danger’ and ‘remains under observation’ but in a ‘stable’ condition.
Nasraoui himself said on social media that he was ‘feeling better’, yet he remains in hospital. He thanked everyone for their support.
Three people were arrested on Wednesday night and were being questioned at Mataró police station, while a fourth was taken into custody at 9am on Thursday morning.
Investigators must also interview the victim ‘as soon as possible’, as well as witnesses, to uncover the circumstances of the attack, said the police.
Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported late on Wednesday that the incident occurred after an argument in the street with some men who had approached him while he was walking his dog and later returned to assault him.
Yamal made his Barcelona debut aged 15 in April 2023 and burst into the limelight last season, becoming a key player for the Catalan giants.
The Spanish winger, now 17, played a key role for his country as La Roja triumphed at Euro 2024 for a record fourth time, becoming the youngest ever footballer to play and score in the competition’s history.
Yamal’s father and grandmother still live in Rocafonda and he tends to celebrate goals by making a ‘304’ gesture with his hands, referring to the postcode of his neighbourhood.
Nasraoui became well known during the European Championship for his social media presence and media appearances, frequently posting content showing his support for his son.
Spain won the European Championship in July with Yamal setting up Nico Williams’ opening goal in a 2-1 win over England in the final. He also scored a spectacular goal in the semi-finals and won the tournament’s best young player award just a day after he turned 17. ALSO READ: Lamine Yamal, aged 16, makes history at Euro 2024: ‘I only ask to win, win, win.’
Yamal practiced normally with the rest of Barcelona players on Thursday. The club kicks off its Spanish league campaign on Saturday at Valencia.
🚨 El pare de Lamine Yamal es mantindrà a l’UCI a Can Ruti en observació almenys fins demà. No es tem per la seva vida.
— RTVE Notícies (@rtvenoticies) August 15, 2024
👇 Aquest és el moment en què va ser traslladat en ambulància des del lloc de l’apunyalament | @RTVECatalunya
➕ Info: https://t.co/4Ca2J6J4Ps pic.twitter.com/LK8yjYEm7y
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