Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with a knife attack on Mounir Nasraoui, the father of Barcelona soccer star Lamine Yamal, Catalan police confirmed to CNN.
Nasraoui was hospitalized in serious condition after suffering two stab wounds on Wednesday.
In a statement on Instagram on Thursday, Nasraoui said he was “feeling better” and thanked everyone for their messages of support.
The attack occurred in a parking lot in the city of Mataró, near Barcelona, where Yamal’s father lives, following an argument between Nasraoui and some other men, who also live in that neighborhood, according to police.
Local police from Mataró broke up the earlier fight, and video from that incident showed Yamal’s father wearing a jersey with his son’s name on it.
Police tell CNN that the suspects have no prior police record. Three were arrested late Wednesday, a few hours after the attack, and a fourth was arrested Thursday.
All suspects face a potential charge of assault and are awaiting arraignment, due no later than next Monday, the police press office said.
Yamal, who was a key player in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and is widely considered one of soccer’s most promising young players, was seen at Barcelona’s training session on Thursday, ahead of the team’s La Liga opener away at Valencia on Saturday.
The attack on Nasraoui occurred just days after his son, Lamine Yamal, a rising star for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, was named the best young player at the Under-21 European Championship.
