Walid Regragui clarifies Morocco’s approach to Lamine Yamal amidst rumours

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has firmly addressed speculation surrounding Lamine Yamal’s decision to represent Spain, refuting claims that the young Barcelona star was ever offered only a place with Morocco’s U23 squad.

Before committing his international future to Spain’s senior national team in September 2023, Yamal, whose father hails from Morocco, had been heavily courted by the Moroccan Football Federation.

Following his choice, some voices suggested that Morocco’s project had been less appealing than Spain’s, alleging that Regragui intended to start the teenager with the U23s before promoting him to the senior team.

Speaking candidly in an extensive interview with Spanish outlet AS, Regragui categorically denied such reports. “There were many people who claimed that maybe the project we presented wasn’t good, that the coach told him he would play with the U23s,” he explained. “How could I tell Lamine Yamal he would play for the U23s when, at 16, he was already starting for Barcelona’s first team? It would make no sense.”

Regragui pointed out that he had previously called up other young talents such as Bilal El Khannous and Eliesse Ben Seghir at just 18 years old, reinforcing his commitment to integrating promising players directly into the senior setup.

The Moroccan coach also revealed details of his personal meeting with Yamal, providing insight into the process and the respectful manner in which the teenager made his decision.

“Lamine was very clear,” Regragui said. “I met him after one of his first starts with Barcelona. Because he is a minor and must be home by curfew at La Masia, we only had about an hour. I sat down with him and his grandfather.”

During the meeting, Regragui presented a comprehensive project, assuring Yamal of his place as a starter and highlighting Morocco’s upcoming campaigns, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2030 World Cup to be hosted partly on home soil. “I gave him all the love I could,” Regragui added, laughing. “The Federation tried everything.”

Ultimately, the choice rested with Yamal and his family, and the young forward made his intentions clear. “He called me and said, ‘Sir, I’m going to play for Spain,'” Regragui recalled.

“He explained that he was born there and had grown up playing for Spain’s youth teams. I completely understood it was the most natural decision for him.”

Despite the disappointment, Regragui bore no ill will. He expressed his gratitude for the respect shown by Yamal and even left the door open for the future.

“I told him, ‘If you change your mind one day, you have my number, call me,'” he said with a smile.

As Morocco continues to build its team for upcoming international competitions, Regragui remains focused on nurturing the next generation of talent while respecting the individual choices of players with dual nationalities.

????️ Walid Regragui ???????? :

« Beaucoup de gens disent que je n’ai pas présenté le bon projet à Lamine Yamal, que je lui ai proposé d’aller en U23.

Mais comment aurais-je pu lui dire ça, alors qu’à 16 ans, il jouait déjà avec le FC Barcelone ? »

[@diarioas] pic.twitter.com/pblHZ4t5w0

— JMA Morocco ???????? (@JMA_Morocco) April 25, 2025