Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has shared his reasons. He chose to play for Spain, not Morocco. Winning the FIFA World Cup was a key factor.
Yamal was born in Rocafonda. His father is Moroccan, and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea. This made him eligible for three national teams.
Morocco reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. This made his decision harder for a time. Yet, European football’s appeal was strong. Yamal wanted to play on Europe’s biggest stage. This ambition guided his choice.
“I thought about playing for Morocco,” Yamal stated. “They had just reached the World Cup semi-finals then.”
Choosing Spain and European Ambitions
He clarified his final decision. “In the moment of truth, I never doubted,” he said. “I have great love and respect for Morocco. But I always wanted to play in the EURO and in Europe.”
Yamal added, “European football gets more viewership. I also feel it’s closer to the highest international level.”
“Praise be to God, I achieved that goal,” he continued. “This also brings me closer to the World Cup. It gives me chances to win it.” Yamal affirmed his roots. “I will always love Morocco; it is my country too. I grew up in Spain, and I feel it is also my country.”
Yamal’s decision has already proven successful. The young talent is now a key player for Spain. He is one of their most exciting prospects.
His Most Memorable Goal
He has scored many memorable goals for Barcelona. These came after joining the first team under Xavi. Yet, one goal stands out for him. It was against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final. Spain won that match 2-1. His long-range shot equalised the score. Dani Olmo later secured their victory.
“I have three or four favorite goals,” he shared. “If I had to pick just one,” Yamal added, “it would be the goal against France in the EURO. It stands out for its importance and beauty.”
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise. He finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting. Ousmane Dembele won that year. Yamal also secured back-to-back Kopa Trophies. These awards recognise the world’s best young player.
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