Barcelona’s dominant 6-1 Champions League victory over Olympiacos was momentarily overshadowed by an off-pitch moment involving teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and his girlfriend, Argentine rapper Nicki Nicole.
The 18-year-old winger, who continues to break records, becoming the youngest player ever to reach 25 Champions League appearances, was the focus of cameras after the final whistle.
During the match, Nicole was seen in the stands, visibly enjoying the demolition and sharing jokes with injured star players Raphinha and Dani Olmo.
However, it was the post-match interaction that ignited the internet. After Yamal approached the stands for a quick embrace, a separate video surfaced showing the footballer holding his girlfriend from behind in a moment many fans considered “too intimate for public viewing.”
The clip quickly went viral on social media platforms, sparking a debate over the young star’s public displays of affection and potential distractions. Critics and jokers weighed in, with one fan writing: “Lamine Yamal needs to chill a bit, at least in front of the camera.” Another added a more critical take: “This kid needs some discipline, man.”
Despite the chatter, manager Hansi Flick was focused solely on Yamal’s continued performance on the pitch. Following the win, the German coach had nothing but praise for his young talent.
He said: “It’s important for Lamine to score goals. When it’s a huge match, he always performs.” Yamal himself later dismissed the noise by posting a picture with Nicole and his younger brother on Instagram, seemingly unbothered by the internet’s reaction to his burgeoning public romance.