Nicki Nicole Breaks Silence on Fan Backlash: “I’m Just a Fan of Barcelona and Messi – Why Are Argentine Fans Attacking Me Over Yamal?”
Buenos Aires, Argentina — November 27, 2025 — In a raw, emotional Instagram Live session that racked up over 2 million views in under an hour, Argentine reggaeton sensation Nicki Nicole addressed the torrent of online vitriol she’s endured since her high-profile breakup with Barcelona wunderkind Lamine Yamal. The 25-year-old singer, fresh off a Latin Grammy nomination for her album Parte de Mí, didn’t hold back as she tearfully defended her intentions, pleading with critics—particularly Messi’s die-hard Argentine supporters—to see her as an ally, not an adversary.
“I know Messi fans and Antonella Roccuzzo are a happy couple,” Nicki began, her voice steadying after a deep breath. “They have a lot of fans from Argentina, and their fans keep attacking and criticizing me. I’m just a fan of Barcelona and Messi; I love that team. But I don’t understand why fans from Argentina are criticizing me because Yamal and I had…” She trailed off, wiping away tears, before continuing: “We had something real, but it’s over. Why does that make me the villain? I’m from Rosario, just like Leo. I grew up idolizing him, wearing his jersey to school. This isn’t about tearing anyone down—it’s about living my life.”
The backlash traces back to late August, when Nicki and 18-year-old Yamal went public with their whirlwind romance. What started as flirty DMs and a surprise appearance at his 18th birthday bash in July exploded into tabloid gold: seaside strolls in Monaco, courtside kisses at Camp Nou, and her donning his No. 19 jersey during El Clásico. Fans dubbed them “La Pareja del Año,” with memes comparing their chemistry to a young Messi and Antonela. But whispers of an age gap (seven years) and her past flings with other stars—like a brief 2024 spark with Peso Pluma—fueled skepticism. Then came the infidelity rumors: leaked photos from Yamal’s post-breakup Milan trip with Italian model Anna Gegnoso, which both denied vehemently.
By early November, the split was official. Yamal told Spanish TV’s D Corazón: “Everything being said has nothing to do with our relationship. I haven’t been unfaithful.” Nicki echoed the sentiment on social media: “If someone cheated on me, I’d be the first to say so—like I did before.” Sources close to the pair attribute the end to clashing schedules—Yamal’s grueling La Liga and Spain duties, her sold-out world tour—and the suffocating spotlight. She deleted their couple photos from Instagram, but not before trolls flooded her comments: “Stay away from our boys,” “Messi’s the only Argentine king— you’re just chasing clout,” and worse, Photoshopped memes pitting her against Antonela.
The Messi connection adds a bitter twist. As a Rosario native, Nicki has long professed her love for the GOAT, even collaborating on a 2023 charity track for the Leo Messi Foundation. Her recent Miami trip for Inter Miami’s playoff watch party—where she was spotted in a Messi jersey—sparked fresh accusations of “player-hopping.” “It’s exhausting,” she confessed in the Live. “I flew to Florida to support the team I adore, not to ‘find’ anyone. But suddenly, I’m the homewrecker? Antonela’s my role model—a strong mom, a queen. I respect their family more than words can say.”
Fellow artists rallied around her. Karol G commented: “Hermana, keep shining—haters are just jealous of your light.” Yamal, sidelined by a nagging groin injury (pubalgia, the same chronic issue that plagued Messi’s early career), liked her post subtly, signaling no bad blood. Yet the Argentine fanbase, fiercely protective of Messi’s legacy, remains divided. Forums like Olé buzz with debates: Is Nicki a genuine Blaugrana supporter or a serial spotlight-seeker?
In her closing plea, Nicki urged unity: “Football and music bring us together—let’s not let rumors tear us apart. Yamal and I? It was young love, intense and over. But my heart’s still Culé. Messi forever.” As she logged off, the chat overflowed with heart emojis from supporters worldwide. In an industry rife with scrutiny, Nicki’s vulnerability might just turn the tide—from villain to victor.
