Lamine Yamal has chosen to represent the Spanish national team, and his decision continues to provoke discussion. In this context, the statements of his grandmother, Fatima, who explained the reasons why her grandson opted for the Iberian national team, came into focus again.
The subject has become topical again after the statements made by Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation. The official claimed that Morocco respected the footballer’s choice, but called him “Jamel”, adding that he did not know “any Spaniard with that name”.
“We respect “Jamel’s” decision, we never contested it. We have not changed our attitude towards “Jamel” or his family, who, as far as I understand, still spend their holidays in Northern Morocco. They will always be well received. Lamine “Jamel”… I don’t know any Spaniard by name “Jamel!”admitted, in a playful tone, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation.
“This kid is not from Morocco!”
Born in Spain, to a mother originally from Equatorial Guinea and a Moroccan father, Lamine Yamal had the right to play for three national teams. In the end, the forward chose to wear the shirt of the country where he was born and trained as a footballer, a decision his grandmother explained in a past interview.
Born in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, Lamine Yamal spent his childhood in Catalonia and built his entire international career in the Spain shirt. After performing for all the junior representatives of the Iberians, the striker made the step to the senior national team, where he has already collected 32 selections.
“This kid is not from Morocco. He was born here (not in Spain) and he was educated here. My son Mounir didn’t force him to do anything. He played in Morocco, in France, in Spainto where he wanted!“said the player’s grandmother, according to marca.com.
Now, Yamal faces the most important match of his career. On Sunday, July 19, from 22:00, Spain will face Argentina in the final of the 2026 World Cup, in a game where the young striker can win his first world title.
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