Marrakech – Rising football star Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old winger who has been dazzling fans at the ongoing European Championship, came close to representing Morocco before ultimately deciding to play for Spain, according to Spanish media outlet Relevo.
Born to a Moroccan father, Yamal was extensively courted by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) in their quest to secure the allegiance of the talented youngster.
The FRMF reportedly held several meetings with Yamal and his father, Mounir Nasroui, in an attempt to persuade him to represent the Lions of the Atlas.
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, even made a personal visit to Barcelona in early 2023 to meet with Yamal and his father, underscoring the federation’s determination to bring the prodigy into their fold.
However, it was Albert Luque, the former Sporting Director of the Spanish national team, who played a pivotal role in ensuring that Yamal would don the colors of La Roja.
Despite the persistent efforts of the Moroccan federation, Yamal expressed his firm desire to represent Spain early on in the discussions.
“Albert, rest assured, I want to win the next Euros, and I can only do that with Spain,” Yamal reportedly told Luque, underlining his unwavering commitment to the Spanish national team.
The teenager had already represented Spain at various youth levels, including the Under-15 and Under-16 teams, before making his senior debut in September 2023 in a remarkable 7-1 victory over Georgia.
While Yamal’s father seemed to entertain the Moroccan federation’s proposals, it was the player’s own conviction that ultimately sealed the deal in Spain’s favor.
The negotiations also involved Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana, who emphasized the need for her son to be carefully managed and not rushed into the spotlight at such a tender age.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) assured the family that Yamal would be nurtured and protected, a promise exemplified by his recent exclusion from the squad for the Olympic Games to avoid overburdening the young talent.
Several key figures in Spanish football also played a part in Yamal’s decision. Barcelona’s former coach Xavi Hernandez reportedly spoke to the youngster about the significance of representing Spain and the opportunities it could afford him in terms of winning titles and individual accolades.
Francis Hernandez, the head of the youth categories at the RFEF, also maintained close contact with Yamal throughout his development in the national youth setup.
With Yamal’s international future now firmly tied to Spain, the talented winger is expected to play a key role as La Roja face off against Germany in the quarter-finals of the European Championship on Friday in Stuttgart.
The football world will be watching closely to see if the 16-year-old sensation can continue his meteoric rise and help propel Spain to European glory.
Yamal’s commitment to Spain is being hailed as a major coup for the RFEF, which has recently secured the allegiances of other dual-nationality stars such as Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, and Nico Williams.
Read also: 16-Year-Old Lamine Yamal Chooses Spain Over Morocco Despite FRMF’s Efforts
