Lamine Yamal's relationship with Alex Padilla has generated widespread conversation amongst football fans online. Pulse Sports debunks some of the misinformation surrounding their romance.
Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona wonderkid, has not only made headlines for his mesmerising displays on the pitch but also for his personal life.
Pulse Sports first reported on his relationship with Alex Padilla has been a hot topic among fans and tabloids alike, generating a mix of admiration and controversy.
As the young couple continues to navigate the public eye, several misconceptions about their relationship have surfaced.
Despite their young ages, both Lamine and Alexandra Padilla have had to deal with intense scrutiny and rumours that often overshadow their personal lives.
From exaggerated claims about age differences to false narratives about their backgrounds, it's time to set the record straight.
Pulse Sports reveals five of the most prevalent misconceptions about Lamine Yamal and his girlfriend Alex Padilla.
1. Alex Padilla's Age revealed
The biggest talking point has been the age difference between Lamine Yamal and Alex Padilla.
How old is Alex Padilla? Rumours have circulated that Alex is significantly older than the Barcelona star.
However, Pulse Sports confirms that Alex was born in 2006, contrary to claims that she is 20 years old.
Lamine Yamal only turned 17 in July 2024, having been born in 2007.
The claims on social media that she is older than the footballer are false and misleading.
2. Alex Padilla changed religion due to her relationship with Lamine Yamal
There were also reports that Alex Padilla allegedly converted from Christianity to Islam due to her relationship with Lamine Yamal.
Lamine Yamal is a practicing Muslim courtesy of his Moroccan roots, a faith shared by his father, Mounir Nasraoui.
However, there is no evidence to support the claim that Alex converted to Islam.
The rumours appear to be baseless and speculative.
3. Alex Padilla knew Lamine Yamal before his fame
Another misconception is that Alex Padilla only recently attracted Lamine’s attention after his breakthrough in European football.
However, these claims are untrue.
Sources close to the Barcelona-based student revealed that Lamine and Alexandra have always been friends, as the pair attend the same learning institution.
After Lamine and Alex met, she was immediately accepted by Yamal’s family due to her reserved nature and personality.
The criticism and online attacks aimed at Alex have been deemed unfair and unnecessary.
4. Issues of consent over their relationship
Concerns have been raised over the issue of consent in what has been dubbed an ‘underage relationship’ between Lamine Yamal and Alex Padilla.
In September 2013, a report from The Guardian stated that Spain enacted a law to raise the age of consent from 13 to 16 and the minimum age for marriage from 14 to 16.
An excerpt from the report reads: "Adults who have sex with underage children now face from two to six years in prison and up to 12 years if they have performed oral or penetrative sex. An exception is made in the case of consensual sex with someone under 16 'when the other party is of a similar age or stage of development and maturity', a loose concept that judges will have to define on a case-by-case basis."
Raising the age to 16 brings Spain in line with countries like the UK, Russia, and the Netherlands.
5. Lamine Yamal’s alleged wealth transfer
With a market value of €140 million according to CIES, Lamine Yamal is estimated to have a net worth of around $2 million.
Recently, rumours emerged that Yamal had transferred all his wealth to his mother’s name, similar to the alleged action taken by Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi during his famous 2023 divorce from Hiba Abouk.
However, such claims are completely false.
Though Lamine Yamal’s financial stocks are projected to grow exponentially, the footballer has taken no such action yet.
According to reports, Jorge Mendes, the super agent of Lamine Yamal, has reportedly been busy pestering Barcelona to give the teenager a significant pay rise due to his remarkable performances for club and country.
For now, the footballer is currently enjoying a well-deserved summer break with his girlfriend Alex Padilla in Greece.