Morocco coach Walid Regragui said on Thursday (August 31st) he approached Barcelona’s Spanish-Moroccan prodigy Lamine Yamal to convince him to play with the Atlas Lions, but the 16-year-old has just be selected this Friday by Spain.
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On August 20, Yamal, the twirling 16-year-old winger, became the youngest holder in the history of the Spanish league after coming on against Cadiz (2-0), before shining again against Villarreal on August 28 , contributing greatly to the victory of the Blaugranas (4-3).
Performances that strongly attracted the attention of Moroccan fans, who hoped to see him represent the colors of his country of origin rather than those of Spain, of which he also has the nationality. ” He just turned 16. He has a decision to make and it’s not easy. “said the coach of the “Atlas Lions” at a press conference on Thursday. ” The president of the federation and I worked to get Lamine to join us. I met him and we had a good discussion. We presented our project. But then the decision is up to him “.
Regragi: ” We did the right thing”
Even if he has not publicly pronounced on his choice, Lamine Yamal seems to be heading with great strides towards La Roja. On Friday, he was indeed included in the Spain list presented by coach Luis De la Fuente for the qualifying matches for Euro 2024. It is awesome. It’s time to trust him “, summed up the Spanish coach at a press conference, speaking of Lamine Yamal. He will have the opportunity to become the youngest player in history to play a match with La Roja, at just 16, in the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Georgia or Cyprus on 8 and 12 next September.
Moroccan fans will certainly be disappointed with this news, no more than Walid Regragui who showed lucidity a few hours earlier. “We did what was necessary for him to be with us, but afterwards, we cannot force a player to choose Morocco, especially since he was born abroad and played for Morocco. Spain in the youth categories “. A premonitory phrase…
(With AFP)