Lamine Yamal’s Choice to Play for Spain Amidst Family Pressures
The article discusses Lamine Yamal’s decision to represent Spain rather than Morocco, highlighting the pressures faced by his family, including threats to his father in Morocco. Albert Luque recounts the circumstances surrounding Lamine’s choice and achievements, comparing it to Brahim Diaz’s experience with national representation.
Albert Luque, a former director of football for the Spanish national team, disclosed during an appearance on Cadena SER’s program, El Larguero, that Lamine Yamal’s father expressed he would be in danger in Morocco for his son’s choice to play for Spain instead of Morocco. Lamine, born in 2007 in Mataro, has a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother. He joined the youth academy, La Masia, at age seven and made his first-team debut at fifteen, subsequently setting multiple records including becoming the youngest goalscorer in La Liga and Spain’s youngest player to score in international competition.
The transition for Lamine to represent Spain could have been different had he decided to play for Morocco, similar to other players like Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi who chose to represent their ancestral country. Luque recounted the pressures faced by Lamine, stating, “It wasn’t an easy case. The Morocco coach came expressly [to Lamine’s camp] and the Moroccan government tried to convince him,” noting that Lamine affirmatively expressed his desire to represent Spain due to aspirations of becoming a European champion, amidst pressures from Morocco.
The situation with Lamine’s father was reportedly more complex. Luque shared, “The father was more complicated. He told me that in Morocco they were going to kill him.” Lamine’s mother, as stated by Luque, was a source of support. Luque claimed to have misled her concerning the motivations behind Lamine’s choice to protect the family from the pressures they faced. By initially committing to Spain, Lamine became ineligible to represent Morocco after participating in matches for La Roja.
Ultimately, Lamine achieved his dream by winning the Euros in Germany last summer, whereas Brahim Diaz, who initially represented Spain, later switched to Morocco in 2024. Luque commented on Brahim’s experience, suggesting that not winning the European Championship, despite his notable success with Real Madrid in the Champions League, was a point of disappointment for him. He reflected on the circumstances surrounding Brahim’s decision to choose Morocco, expressing regret over how the situation unfolded, stating, “Maybe I have to say that I was wrong; time will tell.”
In summary, Albert Luque revealed significant pressures faced by Lamine Yamal’s family in choosing international representation for their son between Spain and Morocco. Lamine’s journey to represent Spain has been marked by his aspirations for European success, contrasted with the difficult familial circumstances stemming from his father’s fears. Luque’s insights also extend to Brahim Diaz, acknowledging the complex emotions surrounding their national choices, culminating in his contemplations regarding past decisions.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
