Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has firmly rejected speculation about a romantic involvement with 30-year-old flight attendant Fati Vazquez after the pair were photographed at the same Italian holiday destination.
The 17-year-old footballer and the Spanish social media influencer posted images from identical locations, showing luxury experiences including boat trips, poolside relaxation and helicopter rides.
Speaking to gossip expert Javi de Hoyos, Yamal "categorically denies that he's with her; he says they have nothing going on."
The Barcelona star clarified he was holidaying with fellow team-mates from the Catalan club, not alone with Vazquez.
Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has firmly rejected speculation about a romantic involvement with 30-year-old flight attendant Fati Vazquez after the pair were photographed at the same Italian holiday destination
GETTY/INSTAGRAM
De Hoyos suggested the influencer might have connections with another Barcelona player instead. "Probably, Fati does have something going on with someone at Barca or is a friend of another team-mate."
The speculation arose after both individuals shared content from the same Italian resort in recent days, following Spain's penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the Nations League final earlier this month.
The 13-year age difference between Yamal and Vazquez sparked considerable online commentary and criticism.
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Fati Vazquez has received vile abuse from football fans for being at the same holiday resort as Lamine Yamal
Yamal is currently enjoying his summer break and posted an airport photograph on Monday before a planned journey to Brazil, where he intends to meet his childhood idol Neymar.
Vazquez has broken her silence on the abuse she has faced over the age gap, though she chose not to address the dating rumours directly.
"It's sad to see how some people carry so much darkness inside that they get to wish death on someone they don't even know," she wrote on Instagram.
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She added: "What others project speaks more about them than me. I choose to live with purpose, continue to grow and surround myself with light. To those who wish me evil, I wish them healing, because no one who is well with himself wishes to destroy another."
The influencer's response focused on the negativity directed at her rather than confirming or denying any romantic connection with the young footballer.
Vazquez began her professional life as a flight attendant before transitioning to social media, where she has amassed over one million followers across YouTube and Instagram.
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She regularly shares content about fitness routines and healthy eating, and has authored a book about the bullying she endured as a teenager.
Yamal's romantic history includes a public relationship with TikTok influencer Alex Padilla, who supported him during Spain's Euros campaign in Germany last July.
Lamine Yamal was outstanding for Barcelona last season as the Catalan titans won the double
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However, he unfollowed her that same month after a video emerged of her sitting on another boy's lap.
The footballer was subsequently seen shopping in Barcelona with another TikTok personality, Anna Gegnoso, in December, though they are reportedly not currently together.
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