A few months before the 2026 World Cup, Lamine Yamal’s record could become almost complete before he even turns 19. After winning everything on the national scene with FC Barcelona and winning Euro 2024 with La Roja, the feat would become resounding if FC Barcelona lifted the Champions League and if Spain won the 2026 World Cup. In an exclusive interview granted to CBS Newsthe Spanish prodigy spoke candidly about his dazzling debut in the national team and his choice of international career.
Despite the immense pressure of a major competition at just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal explains that he approached Euro 2024 with disconcerting simplicity: “during the Euro, I never thought about the fact that I was 16. I said to myself: ‘you’re playing a tournament that you’re going to enjoy a lot, because it’s your dream, so enjoy it and don’t think about anything else’”. The 18-year-old striker then addressed the most delicate subject for him: the decision to play for Spain, while Morocco, his father’s country of origin, was reaching out to him.
Morocco, a dream dismissed by the high European level
Lamine Yamal revealed that he had thought about this option for a long time, particularly after the historic run of the Atlas Lions at the 2022 World Cup. “I have a strange feeling, because, deep down, I told myself that I would have dreamed of playing for Morocco. At that time, Morocco had reached the semi-finals of the World Cup…” Despite this deep affection, the young talent affirmed that his final choice was without doubt. He justifies his decision by purely sporting criteria, linked to the development of his career: “At the decisive moment, I never doubted. With all the love and respect I have for Morocco, I always wanted to play in the Euro and in Europe. I believe that European football is more followed and closer to the high international level.
The Barça striker concluded his speech with strong words for Morocco, stressing that it was indeed his country in the same way as Spain. “Thanks to God, I made it (playing for La Roja)! It also brings me closer to the World Cup and my chances of winning it… I will always have love for Morocco, because it is also my country. There would have been nothing strange or wrong about playing for them. But I grew up in Spain, and I also consider it my country.» A frank and measured position for those who could cross paths with the Moroccan selection during the final stages of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
