The 29-year-old OnlyFans model spotted on holiday in Italy with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal has defended her relationship with the Barcelona star, claiming she never had ‘any financial interest’ in him.
Spanish wonderkid Yamal raised eyebrows after pictures emerged that saw him with OnlyFans model, social media influencer and flight attendant Fati Vazquez as he holidayed after the Nations League final earlier this month.
Photos were published of the pair together on a jet ski on the island of Pantelleria, in southern Sicily, by Spanish publication Lecturas.
Despite a 12-year age gap, Yamal and Vazquez posted photos from the same location, with the pair enjoying a life of luxury that included going on a boat trip, relaxing by a pool and flying in a helicopter, leading to speculation that they may have started a relationship.
But Yamal brushed away rumours, posting a picture on Instagram with former Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar in Rio de Janeiro, with the caption: ‘Single and happy, this is Brazil!’.
And now Vazques has launched a stunning defence amid rumours of romantic links, hitting back at critics who accused her of being around him for financial gain.
Fati Vazquez is a flight attendant who has turned her focus to OnlyFans and social media work
She said she ‘received death threats’ and was called a ‘paedophile’ after holidaying with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal
The pair both posted photos from a boat trip, but Yamal denies that they are in a relationship
‘I want to make it clear that I do not have and have never had a financial interest in this story. I’ve been an independent woman since I was 18,’ she told Spanish television programme Y ahora Sonsoles.
‘I have been working on social networks as a content creator for more than 10 years, long before Lamine was a public figure. My career is solid, professional and autonomous.’
She added that she was surprised that she ‘discovered’ another girl was allegedly with Yamal before her.
‘During my stay, I discovered that another girl had been there just before me and that, for a matter of hours, we did not get to coincide,’ she said. ‘This information took me by surprise, like anyone else who was in a similar situation.’
‘It has been insinuated that if Lamine was not a public figure, I would not have noticed him. But it’s also fair to say that, if I didn’t have the trajectory and visibility I have, he probably wouldn’t have noticed me either.’
She added: ‘My words do not seek to confront, but to close a cycle with honesty. I deeply thank those who have decided not to judge from prejudice and have chosen to inform themselves before attacking me.
Yamal had previously denied that they were a couple after speaking with gossip expert Javi de Hoyos.
De Hoyos claims ‘he’s been able to speak to Lamine Yamal, and he categorically denies that he’s with her; he says they have nothing going on.’
The Spanish influencer has hit back at critics after receiving death threats over the age gap
Yamal took to Instagram to give an update on his relationship while with Neymar Jnr in Brazil
Vazquez (left) and Yamal (right) have both been relaxing by the same pool on holiday in Italy
‘Lamine didn’t go to this vacation spot alone, but with other Barça teammates,’ De Hoyos added.
Lecturas previously reported that the pair ‘don’t want to put a name to their obvious friendship’, but said they ‘get along perfectly’.
‘Their closeness is such that they didn’t hesitate to go on vacation at a key moment. They wanted to get away from it all and celebrate the season’s many successes.’
Vazquez has previously spoken out about the backlash she has received.
The influencer said that she has received death threats following the photos of her with Yamal, while stating they are ‘two people who want to have a good time’.
‘I’m getting really p****d off, people are even wishing me dead because of it,’ Vazquez told Spanish television show La familia de la tele.
‘I’m receiving death threats and messages calling me a paedophile.
‘I haven’t done anything, haven’t killed anyone. The reactions are just too heavy and it’s even affecting him [Lamine].
As well as pictures of the beautiful coastal scenery, Vazquez also shared a number of selfies
Vazquez shared photos of her on a jet ski on the island of Pantelleria in the south of Sicily
Vazquez hit back at critics on Instagram, posting a picture in a swimming pool on holiday
‘I don’t want to say anything more or make a big deal out of it or make it morbid, because I think it’s completely unnecessary.
‘We’re just two people who want to have a good time, and that’s it.’
Vazquez shared another post on Instagram, responding to critics, of her in a swimming pool in Italy, with the caption: ‘Imagine talking bad about me and I’m over here like this.’
The influencer’s comments come after Yamal was drawn into a debate over a meeting with another 29-year-old, adult star Claudia Bavel, that never came to fruition just days after images Yamal and OnlyFans model Vazquez emerged.
Yamal indirectly featured on Spanish TV show TardeAR, which saw producers air an off-air conversation with Yamal that saw him claim he didn’t meet Bavel because he ‘wasn’t interested’ in a discussion between the two.
Alex Alvarez, meanwhile – a reporter on the show – alleged that there had been claims that Bavel’s plan was to hire a photographer and sell images of a meet up, which Yamal said would have been impossible because he lives with his mother, who does not allow unfamiliar visitors. Bavel, though, has now spoken up herself, taking to social media to give her side of the story.
The model, who was also present on TardeAR last Friday night, shared to her 259,000 followers: ‘I chose not to speak publicly on this matter in 2025. However, since Lamine Yamal mentioned our alleged relationship on TardeAR, I find it appropriate to share my version with clarity and respect.
‘He claims to live with his mother, but in reality lives alone. He says he rejected me, when he was the one who sought my contact and insisted on meeting. He denies we’ve met, despite crossing paths at several social events.
Yamal was drawn into a debate over a meeting with another 29-year-old, Claudia Bavel
Yamal claimed he didn’t meet Bavel because he ‘wasn’t interested’ in a discussion with her
Yamal went public with his TikTok star ex-girlfriend Alex Padilla after winning Euro 2024
‘I respectfully ask that offensive and defamatory messages stop. I have NEVER had any relationship with a minor, never arranged a meeting, and there was never any plan involving fame or money.
‘The only thing we agree on is that no meeting or situation ever happened between us. Behind the headlines and public opinion, there are people. Out of respect, I ask for understanding and restraint.’
Speaking on the show later that day, she added that they didn’t meet because she didn’t want to meet a minor. She also claimed to have voice notes of Yamal saying they could spend time together despite the age gap.
Bavel has previously been involved in a row with Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas.
