Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has found himself at the center of an international debate after being told he made the wrong decision by choosing to represent Spain instead of Morocco.
The teenage winger, one of the brightest talents in European football, was eligible to play for both nations but ultimately committed his international future to Spain. That choice has already delivered success, with Yamal playing a role in Spain’s European Championship triumph. Despite that achievement, some voices believe the decision came at a cultural and emotional cost.
Former Morocco international and national icon Mustapha Hadji has openly expressed his disappointment, arguing that Yamal would have experienced a deeper connection had he chosen the Atlas Lions.
“Even if he plays for Spain, the affection the Spanish will have for him will never be the same as that of the Moroccans,” Hadji said, speaking via AS.
“So it’s a shame he didn’t choose Morocco, because if he had, things would have been different. It’s sad because, as I recently read in a Spanish newspaper, some journalists were saying: ‘We have Pedri, we love Pedri, we love Yamal, but we don’t love him as much as Pedri.’ So that means he made a mistake.”
Hadji went further, emphasizing Yamal’s roots and cultural identity.
“I would have liked him to play for Morocco. He will always be Moroccan, even if he plays for Spain.”
The comments have reignited discussion around identity, belonging, and the emotional weight of international football choices—especially for players with dual nationality who must decide between heritage and upbringing.
Yamal himself has previously addressed the issue, offering a clear and personal explanation for his decision. In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, the Barcelona winger said his ambition had always been to compete at the European Championship level—an opportunity unavailable with Morocco.
“I had always wanted to play a European Championship,” Yamal explained.
“Spain was playing the Euros, I grew up here, and I feel this is my country.”
For Yamal, the choice was rooted in lived experience rather than external expectations. Raised and developed in Spain’s football system, he sees La Roja as a natural extension of his identity.
While debate over his decision is unlikely to fade, Yamal continues to let his performances do the talking. At club and international level, his rise shows no signs of slowing, even as questions about loyalty, identity, and affection follow him beyond the pitch.
