Lamine Yamal revealed that his ambition to win a World Cup influenced his choice to play for Spain rather than Morocco, stating, “I never really had a doubt” about his decision to represent the nation where he was born.

Yamal, who debuted for the Spanish senior team at age 16 in 2023, participated in a Euro 2024 qualification match against Georgia, which made him ineligible to represent Morocco, his father’s homeland. While he briefly considered playing for Morocco, especially after their remarkable run to the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup, he always preferred to play for Spain.

“The truth is that it was something strange because it was something on my mind, ‘Hey, I could play with Morocco,’” Yamal stated in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes.” 

He emphasized his long-standing desire to participate in the Euros and to play at Europe’s highest level.

‘I shine when having fun’

Yamal noted that playing soccer is as joyous for him as it is for spectators. He shared his belief that enjoying the game is key to performing well, saying, “I’m at my best when I can play, when I can have fun with my teammates.”

His aim is to bring happiness to the fans, believing his playing style can uplift spirits. “I think I would like to brighten people’s day,” he remarked, expressing that he hopes spectators leave games feeling happier.

Yamal’s upbringing in Rocafonda, a neighborhood in Mataro, Barcelona, shaped his perspective on soccer and community, where he reflects on the unifying power of the sport, enabling connections regardless of socio-economic background. He ends with a sentiment that soccer has been and always will be integral to his life.