Attempted Burglary at Soccer Star Lamine Yamal's Barcelona Home: What Happened

While Lamine Yamal and his teammates celebrated in the United States after Spain's victory over France, securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup final, two masked individuals attempted to break into his mansion located in the Ciutat Diagonal neighborhood of Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, early Wednesday morning.

The intrusion was thwarted by the soccer player's private security team, who spotted the intruders via surveillance cameras as they were scaling one of the outer walls.

One of the suspects was dressed entirely in black, while the other wore gray.

Details of the Morning Incident

The attempted burglary occurred around 4 a.m., just hours after Spain's 2-0 triumph over France in the semi-finals held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Upon being detected, the two would-be thieves descended from the wall and fled the scene without stealing anything. The security team immediately notified the Mossos d'Esquadra, and the Catalan police's Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) began an investigation into the attempted burglary.

That same night, at least two other burglaries were reported in homes within the same upscale neighborhood, although authorities have yet to confirm if the same suspects were involved.

Organized Crime Under the Spotlight

According to the program Y ahora Sonsoles on Antena 3, the two individuals are reportedly part of a known criminal organization targeting the southern region of Barcelona. They are believed to be Albanian-Kosovar criminals familiar to local law enforcement agencies, including the police, Mossos, and Guardia Civil.

Such gangs travel across Europe targeting the homes of elite soccer players, drawn by their valuable collections of jewelry and watches.

Yamal has shared his interest in urban-style and 18-carat diamond pieces on social media, and he posted a video showcasing his mansion before leaving for the World Cup, which increased public awareness of the property.

This attempt is not isolated; in February, Pau Cubarsí and Joan García were also victims of a series of burglaries in the Barcelona area, with thieves making off with approximately 6,000 euros worth of items in each case.

The Former Residence of Piqué and Shakira

The mansion, a well-known property that Yamal purchased in October 2025 for 11 million euros, spans 3,800 square meters across three floors and two basement levels, featuring swimming pools, a soccer field, and a recording studio.

Previously, it was the home of Gerard Piqué and Shakira during their relationship and became a hotspot for media attention following their separation in 2022.

Abdul, Lamine Yamal’s uncle, downplayed the incident when speaking to Telecinco: "I learned about the attempted burglary from La Vanguardia. We’re not worried because the house is extremely secure, and it's absolutely impossible to break in."

Lamine's Father's Outrage

Mounir Nasraoui, the soccer star's father, expressed his frustration on Y ahora Sonsoles, as reported by the HuffPost. When the journalist referred to the culprits as "two masked men," Nasraoui corrected her: "Well, they should be called two scoundrels, not two masked men. There are masked singers who make music, and these masked men steal."

Nasraoui, who has Moroccan roots and grew up in humble conditions, emphasized that he never resorted to crime despite facing challenges: "I never stole, to be honest. I collected scrap metal, but I never robbed people."

He also explained why he didn't travel to the World Cup, unlike the player's mother and younger brother: "I am epileptic. I have to take several pills daily, and I could have an epileptic seizure. If I’m going to cause problems, it’s better to stay home and watch from here."

Spain is set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Lamine Yamal as one of its standout players.