Lamine Yamal’s Spain decision ended Morocco’s two-year recruitment effort

Walid Regragui has revealed how Lamine Yamal rejected Morocco after a two-year effort by the country’s football authorities and former national team coach to persuade the FC Barcelona teenager to represent the Atlas Lions.

Speaking on the “Magharib” podcast, produced by Atheer, Regragui described the discussions that took place before Yamal committed his international future to Spain.

Regragui said he inherited the responsibility of trying to convince the young forward, who was viewed by many as a potential successor to Lionel Messi. The coach took on the task with the backing of Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

Together, the pair maintained regular contact with Yamal’s representatives and met members of his entourage repeatedly over a period of two years. Their aim was to present Morocco as a realistic and ambitious option for a player eligible to represent both Morocco and Spain.

Regragui met Yamal for the final time in 2023, when he outlined the project being developed by the Moroccan national side. That appeal did not change the player’s mind.

During a telephone conversation, Yamal told Regragui that he had decided to play for Spain.

The decision was formally confirmed on 1 September 2023, when Yamal was called up by Spain for the first time. Eight days later, he made his senior debut for La Roja and scored in a 7-1 victory over Georgia.

Yamal later explained his choice in an interview with the Spanish federation, describing it as a logical continuation of his development after representing Spain at youth level.

His international breakthrough followed a rapid rise at FC Barcelona, where he was increasingly regarded as one of the most gifted young players in world football. Morocco had hoped its relationship with the player and his wider family could persuade him to choose the country, but the final decision went in Spain’s favour.

On 19 July last year, the 19-year-old FC Barcelona star won the World Cup in front of his idol, Lionel Messi, two years after also winning the European Championship.

Regragui’s account offers an insight into the extent of Morocco’s efforts to secure Yamal, as well as the personal discussions that preceded the player’s international commitment. Despite the involvement of both the national coach and the FRMF president, the forward ultimately followed the pathway established during his time in Spain’s youth teams.

The former coach said the player’s message was decisive: “Coach, my decision is made.”