Lamine Yamal expressed that his ambition to win a World Cup influenced his choice to play for Spain rather than Morocco, stating that he “never really had a doubt” about his decision to represent his birth country.

Yamal, who is associated with Barcelona, was previously a youth international for Spain and made his senior debut at 16 years old during a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Georgia. His participation in that match secured his commitment to Spain, although he was eligible to play for Morocco due to his father’s heritage.

He contemplated the possibility of representing Morocco, particularly after their historic advancement to the World Cup semifinals in 2022, but he was always inclined towards Spain.

“The truth is that it was something strange because it was something on my mind, ‘Hey, I could play with Morocco,’” Yamal remarked during an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes.” (Translation: La verdad es que fue algo extraño porque era algo en mi mente, ‘Oye, podría jugar con Marruecos.’)

He also noted, “In the end, with all the love and respect I have for Morocco, I’ve always wanted to play in the Euros…” (Translation: Al final, con todo el amor y respeto que tengo por Marruecos, siempre he querido jugar en la Euro.)

Additionally, Yamal emphasized the joy he experiences while playing and the importance of having fun on the field, sharing that, “I’m at my best when I can play, when I can have fun with my teammates.” (Translation: Estoy en mi mejor momento cuando puedo jugar, cuando puedo divertirme con mis compañeros).

Reflecting on his upbringing in Rocafonda, a neighborhood in Mataro, Yamal mentioned how the area shaped his current persona and experiences, helping him connect deeper with fans and the sport itself. “Soccer puts everyone on equal ground,” he concluded, highlighting its significance for communities like his own. (Translation: “El fútbol pone a todos en igualdad de condiciones”).