Lamine Yamal Spain-Morocco dilemma « Euro Weekly News
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams celebrating a goal during the Euro 2024 football match between Spain and Georgia at Rhein Energie Stadion.
Credit: Shutterstock, Vitalii Vitleo
It was the battle for a footballing prodigy – Spain versus Morocco in a tug-of-war for young Lamine Yamal. But amid the heated discussions and political pressures, the player’s family has made one thing crystal clear: the decision was always his.
Former Spain men’s team director Albert Luque has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes drama, revealing just how intense the fight was to secure Yamal‘s allegiance. Speaking to El Larguero, Luque claimed that while the Moroccan FA and even its government pulled out all the stops to sway the Barcelona starlet, Yamal himself stood firm.
Why did Lamine Yamal choose Spain over Morocco?
“Albert, I want to be European champion. I’m getting pressure from everywhere, but I want to play for Spain,” Luque recalled the teenager telling him.
Not everyone was convinced. Yamal’s father reportedly expressed serious doubts, fearing backlash from Morocco.
“They’re going to kill me over there,” Luque quoted the father as saying, adding that he had heard other comments that he preferred not to repeat. This has fueled wild speculation and rumours regarding the gravity of the threats, with some interpreting it as an indication of serious death threats.
Meanwhile, Yamal’s mother was more direct, asking: “Do you want him in the senior squad because you think he’s ready, or because you don’t want him playing for Morocco?”
Lamine Yamal’s family supported his choice to play for Spain
The interview has sparked plenty of reaction, including from those closest to Yamal. Journalist Santi Ovalle, who spoke to the family, confirmed that while Luque’s version of events was accurate, both parents knew the final call belonged to their son.
“Lamine had been in Spain’s youth teams all along. He always knew he wanted to play for Spain. That’s what they want to emphasise – no controversy, no bad blood, just a boy who made his own choice,” Ovalle said.
Brahim faced sporting and political pressure when choosing Morocco over Spain
Football analyst Marcos López echoed the sentiment, likening Yamal’s case to that of Real Madrid star Brahim, another dual-national player who faced immense political and sporting pressure before making his decision.
“These choices go far beyond football. At the time, no one knew just how big Lamine would become, but even then, he was speaking with the conviction of a future champion. And just over a year later, that’s exactly what he is – Spain’s youngest-ever European Champion.”
From the outside, it may have seemed like a fierce tug-of-war, but inside Camp Yamal, there was never any doubt. Spain, rejoice – your golden boy was always yours.
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