Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, clarifies his choice of Spain over Morocco.
Lamine Yamal, a rising star at Barcelona, recently explained his decision to represent Spain over Morocco, despite being eligible for both national teams due to his heritage. The 16-year-old, currently showcasing his talent at the European Championships with Spain, emphasized in a recent interview before the Round of 16 match against Georgia that his lifelong aspiration had always been to play for Spain.
Yamal, whose father is Moroccan and mother is from Equatorial Guinea, had the option to choose between Morocco and Spain. While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation expressed strong interest in him, Yamal stated that he never seriously considered representing Morocco, preferring to represent the country where he was born and raised.
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Born and bred in Spain and a product of Barcelona’s academy, Yamal has consistently represented Spain across various youth categories, including the recent U-17 tournament. He dismissed any notion of uncertainty about his choice, attributing any debate to media speculation. “I always knew what I wanted, and there was no doubt. I wanted to play in the Euro Cup and the World Cup, which I could only do with Spain. It’s clear now; I’m very happy,” Yamal affirmed.
At the Euros, Yamal has featured in all three of Spain’s matches, starting two and appearing as a substitute in the third, showcasing his talent and contributing to his team’s efforts. He is expected to continue playing a key role in Spain’s upcoming knockout matches.