Barcelona’s young sensation, Lamine Yamal, is not only making headlines on the pitch but now off it as well.
The 18-year-old forward, who played a key role in Barcelona’s dramatic comeback victory over Levante on Saturday, has set social media abuzz after revealing his new romance.
A Sweet Birthday Surprise
Yamal shared a cozy Instagram post with Latin music star Nicki Nicole, who celebrated her 25th birthday this past weekend.
In the photo, the couple is seated closely in front of Nicole’s birthday cake, with Yamal captioning the post using only cake and heart emojis.
This public display marks a clear acknowledgment of their budding relationship to Yamal’s 37.6 million followers.
Rumors and Early Connections
The young footballer and Nicole had been linked together previously, with speculation arising after she attended Yamal’s controversial 18th birthday celebrations last month.
Prior to this, Nicole had been romantically linked with fellow singer Peso Pluma, ending their public relationship last year amid rumors of infidelity.
Controversial Birthday Celebrations
Yamal’s 18th birthday, held on July 13, drew widespread attention for the wrong reasons.
Reports suggested the party featured elements that were highly criticized, including allegations that dwarves were “exploited” and that women with specific physical attributes were paid to attend.
Images surfaced online showing men with Achondroplasia and women going through a registration checkpoint, prompting government scrutiny.
Allegations from Models and Officials
Spanish model Calvo, previously crowned Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022, claimed she was invited under conditions that she found objectionable.
Organizers allegedly sought to hire 12 blonde women with particular breast sizes, offering up to €20,000 but requiring 24-hour availability without disclosing the venue.
Calvo reportedly withdrew after seeing the demands.
Earlier Scandals and Social Media Links
Yamal has also been linked to 30-year-old social media influencer Fati Vazquez, sparking rumors after the pair were seen on holiday together.
Further gossip emerged when Yamal posted a photo with a prominent red lipstick mark on his cheek, mirrored later by Nicole in her own post.
Flirtations Turn into a Public Romance
Spanish entertainment journalist Javi Hoyos reported that the pair had been flirting during Yamal’s birthday party but only kissed publicly a couple of weeks later.
The encounter allegedly took place at a beach club late at night, with the duo leaving together around 4 a.m. Hoyos encouraged both Yamal and Nicole to confirm or deny the claims.
Balancing Fame, Love, and Controversy
Despite the scandals surrounding him, Yamal continues to shine on the field while navigating the intense scrutiny of social media and public interest in his personal life.
With his new relationship now in the spotlight, fans will be watching closely to see how he balances football, fame, and romance.