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Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Nico Williams celebrate a goal at the Rhein Energie Stadion during the Euro 2024 match between Spain vs Georgia.
Credit: Shutterstock, Vitalii Vitleo
Former Spain men’s team director Albert Luque has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes drama, revealing just how intense the fight was to secure Yamal‘s allegiance. Luque said in an interview with El Larguero he believed that despite the Moroccan FA’s and the Moroccan government’s efforts to influence the Barcelona starlet Yamal, Yamal himself remained firm.
Why did Lamine choose Spain instead of Morocco?
“Albert, i want to be European champion.” Luque recalls the teenager telling him, “I am under constant pressure to play for Spain.
Not everyone was convinced. Yamal’s dad expressed doubts about the project, for fear of backlash in Morocco.
Luque cited the father’s words, saying that he also heard comments that he would rather not repeat. The threats are causing wild speculation, and some people have interpreted it as serious death threats.
Yamal’s mom was directer, asking “Do you want Yamal in the senior squad, because you believe he is ready, or do you not want him to play for Morocco?”
Lamine Yamal chose to play for Spain with the support of his family
The interview has been met with a great deal of criticism, especially from those who are closest to Yamal. The journalist Santi Ovalle confirmed to the family that although Luque’s account of the events was accurate both parents knew their son had the final say.
“Lamine was in Spain’s young teams from the beginning. He knew from the beginning that he wanted play for Spain. That’s what they want to emphasise – no controversy, no bad blood, just a boy who made his own choice,” Ovalle said.
Brahim chose Morocco over Spain despite sporting and political pressure
Football analyst Marcos López echoed the sentiment, likening Yamal’s case to that of Real Madrid star Brahim, another dual-national player who faced immense political and sporting pressure before making his decision.
“These decisions go beyond football. Lamine spoke confidently even though no one at the time knew how big he would become. And just over a year later, that’s exactly what he is – Spain’s youngest-ever European Champion.”
It may have looked like a tug-of war from the outside but there was no doubt inside Camp Yamal. Spain, rejoice – your golden boy was always yours.
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