LAMINE YAMAL'S GIRLFRIEND NICKI NICOLE SHARES JOKES WITH RAPHINHA & DANI OLMO AS TRIO WATCH BARCELONA THRASH OLYMPIACOS

Barcelona smashed Olympiacos 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night at Montjuic and were cheered on by Lamine Yamal's girlfriend Nicki Nicole. The Argentine rapper was spotted in the stands and sharing jokes with Yamal's team-mates Raphinha and Dani Olmo, who missed the game due to injury. Yamal scored a penalty and grabbed an assist on a good night for Hansi Flick's side.

Nicole watches on as Barca run riot

Barcelona were in great goalscoring form on Tuesday as they hit Olympiacos for six. Fermin Lopez bagged a hat-trick and took home the match ball, Yamal was on target from the penalty spot and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford grabbed a brace in an emphatic win. Olympiacos had been in the game at 2-1, but saw Santiago Hezze harshly sent off, and then were left further enraged when Barca were awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Rashford went to ground in the area.

Yamal coolly slotted home the resulting spot kick to thrill fans in the stands and Barca went on to win with ease. Girlfriend Nicole was also spotted having a great time as she smiled and joked with Raphinha and Olmo during the match. The duo were watching from the stands after being ruled out of the game through injury along with Joan Garcia, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

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Yamal makes more history at Barcelona

Yamal celebrated scoring by blowing a kiss up to the stands as he netted his fifth goal of the season in all competitions for Barcelona. The teenager also made more history during the game as he became the youngest player to reach 25 appearances in Champions League history at the tender age of just 18 years and 100 days. 

Manager Hansi Flick was happy to see his team return to winning ways in the competition after defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain last time out. He told reporters after the victory: "The first thing is that we won today, which was the important thing, and this should give us confidence for that match. It's a tremendous game. We don't have time to waste. We're going to bounce back. Every game gives you confidence. We won last season, but that's in the past. We're in a different situation, but I'm optimistic because of last season and because I see ourselves capable. Maybe we'll get some players back. We'll see; we have time to rest and prepare for the match."

Flick not worried about Yamal's private life

Yamal's love life has been making headlines this season amid his burgeoning romance with Nicole. The rapper has said she's "very much in love" with Barcelona's brilliant 18-year-old and the duo have been offering fans regular glimpses of their time together on social media, most recently sharing a helicopter ride together during the international break.

There has been speculation that there is tension at Barcelona about Yamal's private life, something Hansi Flick was quick to shoot down at a pre-match press conference ahead of his team's win over Girona last time out in La Liga.

"For me, what counts is that when he's here, he puts in the effort and commitment. And that's what he does. He had a few days off after working hard, and I don't interfere in his private life," he told reporters.

Flick also denied vehemently denied suggestions he had wanted to drop Yamal against PSG, after he was late for a meeting, but was blocked from doing so by sporting director Deco. He explained: "I'd like to know where this comes from; this is garbage. I'm especially grateful that this club, and Deco in particular, believes in our work. They would never ask us to do this. It's not true; I have nothing to hide. It's garbage, and if anyone says it, they're lying."

- Gill Clark

LAPS COMPLETED BY ARGENTINIAN DRIVERS IN FORMULA ONE

 

'REAL FEMALE ROCKY'DIES AT 47 AS TRIBUTES PAID TO SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION BOXER

Former Argentine boxer Alejandra "Locomotora" Oliveras has died

A six-time world champion boxer, who described herself as a "female Rocky" has died at the age of 47 after suffering a stroke just two weeks ago

A six-time boxing world champion who described herself as “a female Rocky but for real” has died aged just 47 a fortnight after suffering a stroke.

Medics at a hospital in the Argentinian city of Santa Fe where Alejandra Oliveras had been admitted on July 14 confirmed the sad news overnight. Three days of mourning have been declared in the province of Santa Fe, where Alejandra moved into politics after hanging up her gloves in 2017.

Argentinian president Javier Milei, whose right-wing politics the former boxer championed, was among those who paid tribute to her.

Referencing Alejandra by her famous nickname La Locomotora which in English translates as Locomotive, he said alongside a photo of them together: “Goodbye Locomotora. Always on the correct side, rest in peace.”

Alejandra competed from 2006 to 2015, gaining a place in the Guinness Book of World Records with different world titles in different categories and federations.

She won six world titles, including the WBC female super bantamweight title from 2006 to 2008; the WBA female lightweight title from 2011 to 2012; the WBO female featherweight title from 2012 to 2013; and the WBC super lightweight title from 2013 to 2014. She retired with 33 professional wins, two draws and three defeats.

During the Covid pandemic Oliveras, who had 1.6 million Instagram followers, intensified her philanthropic work by creating an organisation called Team Locomotora which engaged in social work and collected food to support soup kitchens.

She also gave low-income youngsters the chance to explore the sport she used to practice professionally by running several boxing schools.

Alejandra, a teenage mum who turned to boxing in her native north-west Argentinian province of Jujuy to escape poverty and domestic violence, switched her focus to politics in 2021 when she made a failed attempt to become an MP with right-wing party called UNITE.

In 2024 she was appointed to head up a programme designed to prevent violence in youth sport after joining the electoral team of a then-candidate to the Argentine presidency.

The stroke she suffered had left her paralysed on the left side of her body and medics at Santa Fe’s Jose Maria Cullen Hospital where she died had described her condition as “critical” when she was admitted.

One fan paying tribute to her online said late yesterday: “A born fighter and an example of motivation and persistence. She deserves a tribute and recognition as a national and world champion.”

Another said: “Fly high champ. You were authentic and genuine. A great warrior.”

The WBC said in a tribute, describing Alejandra as an inspiration to others: "She had a remarkable boxing career, becoming a multiple-time world champion.

"In May 2006, she knocked out Jackie Nava to become the WBC super bantamweight world champion—a title she successfully defended three times.

"She held the WBC featherweight world title from 2012 to 2013. That same year, she stopped Lely Luz Flores in seven rounds to capture the WBC super lightweight world championship. Alejandra retired from professional boxing in 2017.

"Outside the ring, she found a new way to inspire others. She built a community on social media where she shared motivational messages, especially aimed at women, people in vulnerable situations, and those who felt alone. Her words were often intertwined with boxing themes.

"At the World Boxing Council, we deeply mourn the loss of our champion. Her legacy will live on in our minds and hearts."

- Natalia Penza