Attempted burglary at Lamine Yamal's Barcelona home hours after he helped Spain reach World Cup final

An attempted burglary at the home of Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal was foiled by private security in the early hours of Wednesday, just hours after the 19-year-old helped Spain defeat France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal in Texas.

Catalan regional police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, confirmed the incident to AFP, stating there had been an attempted burglary "at a home in Esplugues de Llobregat" on the outskirts of Barcelona. Authorities declined to identify the property owner for privacy reasons, but Barcelona-based daily La Vanguardia reported the house belongs to Yamal, the Spain and Barcelona forward.

How the break-in unfolded

According to La Vanguardia, two people wearing balaclavas climbed onto a wall of the property around 4 a.m. local time. They were spotted on surveillance cameras by a private security guard and fled when confronted. The guards then notified local police. The would-be intruders escaped unrecognized, and a manhunt is underway.

Catalan police are also investigating at least two other burglaries committed in the same area of Esplugues de Llobregat that night and are examining possible links between the incidents. One was described as a "theft with violence" at another house near Yamal's property.

I've already called the lawyers and they've done their work.

Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, told Spanish television programme Y ahora Sonsoles that legal action has been initiated. He praised the private security team whose swift response prevented the break-in from succeeding. "I know them. They did a good job and I thank them," he said. Nasraoui also took issue with a reporter describing the perpetrators as "hooded men," countering: "They're called two scoundrels, not two hooded men. There are hooded singers who make music, and these hooded ones rob."

I haven't robbed, honestly. I've collected scrap metal, but I've never robbed people.

Nasraoui drew on his own history to argue that economic hardship does not justify crime.

A well-known property

The house in Esplugues de Llobregat is notable beyond its current owner. La Vanguardia reported the property once belonged to former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and his ex-partner, Colombian singer Shakira, during their time together in the Catalan capital. After purchasing it, Yamal posted photos of the house and grounds on social media, which may have drawn attention to the address.

Pattern of footballer burglaries

Break-ins at the homes of prominent footballers are a recurring issue in Spain, particularly in Madrid. In recent years, players including Karim Benzema, Rodrygo, and Dani Carvajal have all been victims of such crimes. The Yamal incident fits a pattern in which athletes' homes are targeted while they are away competing.

Yamal's tournament so far

Yamal played the full 90 minutes in Spain's semifinal victory over France in Arlington, Texas. He won the first-half penalty, after being fouled by Lucas Digne, that Mikel Oyarzabal converted to open the scoring. Yamal also had a second-half goal disallowed for offside. He has featured in all seven of Spain's World Cup matches despite entering the tournament with a hamstring issue that forced him to miss the final weeks of Barcelona's domestic season.

Spain, who won their only World Cup in 2010, will face either England or Argentina in Sunday's final. Yamal, who won the 2024 European Championship with Spain a day after turning 17, now has the chance to become a world champion at 19.