Catalonia, Spain – Four individuals have been arrested in connection with a knife attack on Mounir Nasraoui, the father of rising Spanish football star Lamine Yamal. The attack occurred on Wednesday evening in a car park in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataro, approximately 30 kilometers from Barcelona.
According to a spokesperson for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force, the incident took place at 19:10 GMT. Nasraoui was stabbed multiple times and is currently receiving treatment at Can Ruti Hospital. While police confirmed the severity of his injuries, a source close to the family revealed that Nasraoui is now “out of danger” and in “stable” condition, although he remains under observation.
The police have arrested three suspects who were taken into custody on Wednesday night and are being questioned at the Mataro police station. A fourth suspect was apprehended at 09:00 GMT on Thursday. Authorities plan to interview Nasraoui and witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation to uncover the circumstances leading to the attack.
Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported that the altercation began with an argument on the street after some men approached Nasraoui while he was walking his dog. The situation escalated when the assailants later returned to assault him.
Lamine Yamal, Nasraoui’s 18-year-old son, is a rising football talent who made his debut for Barcelona at just 15 years old. Last season, he became a key player for the Catalan giants and played a significant role in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, where he set records as the youngest player to both play and score in the tournament.
Despite his international success, Yamal remains closely connected to his Rocafonda roots. His father and grandmother continue to live in the neighborhood, and Yamal often celebrates goals by making a ‘304’ gesture, a nod to his local postcode.
Nasraoui gained attention during the European Championship for his active social media presence, where he frequently expressed support for his son. The attack on him has sent shockwaves through the local community and the wider football world, with many awaiting further developments in the investigation.
Police are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to bring those responsible to justice.
