Morocco's version of why Lamine Yamal decided to play for Spain

In August 2023, Lamine Yamal agreed to play for the Spanish national team, leaving aside the opportunity to play for his parents' homeland, Morocco.

The 17-year-old Barcelona star agreed to play for the Spanish national team after speaking with Walid Regragui (the coach of the Moroccan national team) and meeting with representatives of the Spanish Football Federation (Francis Hernandez and Vicente Blanco) in Barcelona.

In September 2023, Yamal made his debut for Spain at the age of 16 years and 57 days, becoming the youngest player to play and score for the La Roja national team.

Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan national team and former Racing player, explained on the 'El Chiringuito' program presented by Josep Pedrerol why Yamal ultimately decided to play for Spain and not for the 'Atlas Lions'.

🇲🇦 REGRAGUI, Moroccan selector, explained POR QUÉ LAMINE eligió ESPAÑA:

🫂 "Fue muy respetuoso conmigo, me dijo que se sentía español".

👉 "Intentamos todo para tenerle, será uno de los grandes". pic.twitter.com/iszsudsIjI

- El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 15, 2025

The coach, who led Morocco to fourth place in the 2022 World Cup after eliminating Spain, admits that "Lamine Yamal is a generational star that we tried to get to play for Morocco, but he chose Spain and we wish him luck" and that "what he does at his age is incredible."

Regarding Yamal's decision-making process between Morocco and Spain, the Moroccan coach said: "I spoke directly with Lamine Yamal and he was honest with me, as well as with the Moroccan Federation."

"We tried everything with the project we have with Morocco, with the African Cup of Nations in our country, with the 2030 World Cup, with the love that the country has for Lamine... But, the boy never lied. He didn't play the game 'I am Moroccan or Spanish' and chose Spain," he explained.

"Two or three days after I spoke to him, he called me respectfully and said, 'Sir, thank you for your kindness, but I will choose Spain. I feel Spanish.' He is a very honest kid."

"We spoke with the family, with him and with his lawyer. It was the first time I had the opportunity to join the national team. This is football," Regragui concluded. /Telegraph/