FC Barcelona celebrated a historic moment with their emotional return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou — and the scene quickly became even more special thanks to the presence of Lamine Yamal’s grandmother, Fatima Nasraoui, whose story has captured the hearts of fans.
Fatima, now 73 years old, made a rare and touching appearance in the stands to watch Barcelona face Athletic Club. Wrapped in a Barça scarf and smiling proudly, she watched her grandson continue his rise as one of football’s brightest young talents.
Fatima’s journey is deeply tied to Yamal’s success. She moved from Morocco to Spain in 1990, and after Yamal’s parents separated, she played a central role in raising the future superstar. Yamal has often described her as the most influential figure in his life — a source of stability, discipline, and unconditional support.
From contract signings to global stages like the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Fatima has been present at nearly every landmark moment in Yamal’s fast-growing career. Her appearance at Camp Nou further highlighted the emotional foundation behind the teenage sensation’s rise.
As Barcelona returned home, comparisons between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi resurfaced once again. Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde, who coached Messi during his time at Barça, offered his thoughts ahead of kickoff.
“Time will tell. The bar is set incredibly high,” Valverde said. “Messi has arguably been the best player in the world. Lamine is just starting out; he has a great future ahead. We’re talking about extraordinary players.”
Valverde also discussed his own team’s struggles in front of goal this season, noting injuries and a lack of clinical finishing. Still, he expressed hope that the match against Barcelona could spark improvement, especially with Unai Gomez leading the attack.
With Barcelona entering a new era at Camp Nou and Yamal continuing to command global attention, the teenager’s story is becoming one of football’s most compelling narratives — strengthened even further by the love and support of the grandmother who helped raise him.