Mounir Nasraoui, the father of teenage Spain and Barcelona football prodigy Lamine Yamal, was stabbed multiple times late Wednesday in Mataro, a town near Barcelona. The incident has left Nasraoui in a serious but stable condition, according to reports from Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
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The attack took place in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataro, approximately 30 kilometers north of Barcelona, where Yamal spent his early childhood years. Nasraoui was reportedly walking his dog when an argument broke out with a group of men, leading to the brutal assault. While the Catalan regional police are leading the investigation, they have not yet publicly confirmed the details of the incident or responded to media inquiries.
Immediate Aftermath and Arrests
Nasraoui was rushed to Can Ruti hospital following the stabbing. La Vanguardia reported that some arrests have already been made in connection with the attack, though specifics about the suspects or the motive behind the stabbing remain undisclosed. A later report by the sports website Relevo stated that Nasraoui had been discharged from the hospital and was recovering at home, offering a hopeful sign of his recovery.
Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, was among those who visited Nasraoui in the hospital, reflecting the close ties and concern within the football community for Yamal’s family.
Lamine Yamal’s Meteoric Rise
The attack on Nasraoui comes during a time of immense success for his son, Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old winger has rapidly ascended the ranks of European football, making history as the youngest player to appear for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Yamal was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, setting up Nico Williams’s opening goal in the final against England.
Yamal’s achievements on the field have been widely celebrated, with his hometown of Mataro marking the victory with street celebrations. He was named the best young player of the tournament, just a day after turning 17. This remarkable success story has been juxtaposed with the troubling incident involving his father, casting a shadow over the recent triumphs.
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The Rocafonda neighborhood, where the attack occurred, is known for its tight-knit community. The incident has shocked residents, many of whom have watched Yamal’s rise with pride. The Catalan police continue to investigate the stabbing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.