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Rabat – Lamine Yamal, the young footballer from Moroccan origins, has received racist hate messages in Spain following the spread of a video where he can be seen wearing the Moroccan national team’s kit.
Some of the messages have gone as far as wishing serious injury to the 15-year-old.
A video spread on Thursday in which Yamal can be seen in a dressing room with his Spanish teammates, wearing the Moroccan home kit and kissing its badge.
The footage dates back to the 2022 World Cup when Morocco defeated Spain in the round of 16, but has gone viral again as interest in the youngster — especially among Moroccans — has been increasing.
The footage has seemingly sparked doubts among some Spaniards over the player’s “loyalty” to the Spanish national team, with some sending the player racist messages and wishing for his injury or other kinds of harm.
Yamal currently plays for Spain’s youth teams, and is currently in Hungary to participate in the U17 European Championship.
However, under FIFA rules, the player has plenty of time to switch his national team allegiance should he wish to.
The youngster was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother.
Having made his debut for Barcelona on April 29 against Real Betis, Yamal stole the spotlight in his less than 10 minutes of playtime, almost scoring a goal and getting an assist.
The player became the youngest player in FC Barcelona’s history to make his La Liga debut, at only 15 years of age. The Catalan club are now looking to permanently sign the wonderkid.
Read also: Lamine Yamal Becomes Youngest Barcelona Player to Debut in La Liga
Morocco’s football federation had been “closely following” the youngster’s development since he was playing in the Blaugrana’s U19 team, Spanish outlet Sport reported last year.
“His father is Moroccan, his mother is from Equatorial Guinea and he was born in Spain, so he can choose between three teams. In the end, he will play where he feels best, where his heart tells him,” Moroccan scout Rabie Takassa has said, making it clear that he would not be forced to represent any country.
