Three people have been arrested and a fourth is wanted after a knife attack on the father of young Spanish football star Lamine Yamal in Catalonia, local police told AFP Thursday.

The attack took place at 1910 GMT on Wednesday in a car park in the Catalan town of Mataro, around 30 kilometres from Barcelona, in the Rocafonda neighbourhood where Lamine Yamal is from, said a spokesman for the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force.

Yamal's father Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed several times the police said, and is being treated at the Can Ruti hospital, who could not be reached by AFP for comment.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported late Wednesday that Nasraoui was in a serious but stable condition, citing sources close to the victim.

Catalan police said the three people arrested are being questioned at Mataro police station, while a fourth individual is being actively sought.

Investigators must also interview the victim 'as soon as possible', as well as witnesses, to uncover the circumstances of the attack, said the police.

La Vanguardia said the incident occurred after an argument in the street with some men who had approached him while he was walking his dog and later returned to assault him.

Yamal made his Barcelona debut aged 15 in April 2023 and burst into the limelight last season, becoming a key player for the Catalan giants.

The Spanish winger played a key role for his country as La Roja triumphed at Euro 2024 for a record fourth time, becoming the youngest ever footballer to play and score in the competition's history.

Yamal's father and grandmother still live in Rocafonda and he tends to celebrate goals by making a '304' gesture with his hands, referring to the postcode of his neighbourhood.

Nasraoui became famous during the European Championship for his social media presence and media appearances, frequently posting content showing his support for his son.