According to the Catalan radio programme “Què t’hi jugues”, Lamine Yamal’s signature “crown” goal celebration was not an act of arrogance, but rather a personal dedication to his ex-girlfriend, Argentine singer Nicki Nicole, from whom he recently split.
Yamal’s trademark gesture — placing an imaginary crown on his head after scoring — had sparked debate among fans and pundits. Some interpreted it as a symbol of youthful overconfidence, while others saw it as a lighthearted expression of personality, similar to the celebration made famous by LeBron James in the NBA.
However, during “Què t’hi jugues”, journalist Santi Ovalle explained that the celebration had a private meaning:
“Why he stopped doing it, I don’t know. I only know that he first did it when he met Nicki Nicole. Coincidentally, he ended the relationship last week, and in his first game since the breakup, he didn’t do the crown gesture.”
The show’s hosts said this detail emerged after “making a few phone calls,” suggesting Yamal’s decision to drop the celebration was linked to his personal life, not to criticism of his attitude.
In Barcelona’s recent match against Elche, the 18-year-old winger marked his goal with a noticeably different gesture — passionately kissing and biting the Barcelona crest on his shirt. The act was interpreted as a reaffirmation of his commitment to the club following a turbulent week.
Host Sidney Rodríguez concluded that the story served as a reminder of how quickly assumptions can spread:
“Some said he was arrogant, conceited, that he thought he was the king of the world… But it turns out he did it to dedicate the goal to Nicki Nicole. Now that they’ve broken up, he kissed the Barça badge instead of wearing the crown.”
The revelation has cooled speculation over Yamal’s supposed arrogance, highlighting instead the emotional backdrop behind one of football’s most talked-about celebrations.