Doha – Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui disclosed the behind-the-scenes conversations that led to Lamine Yamal’s decision to represent Spain instead of Morocco.
Speaking on Tuesday night’s Spanish television program El Chiringuito, Regragui detailed his pursuit of the Barcelona prodigy and accepted the player’s choice with professional understanding.
“Lamine Yamal is a generational talent that we tried to bring to the Moroccan national team, but it wasn’t possible,” Regragui stated. “What he’s doing at his age is incredible.”
The Moroccan coach revealed multiple phone conversations with the young star, presenting him with the federation’s ambitious projects. “I had several telephone conversations with Yamal,” he said.
“I presented him with our projects for Morocco, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup,” Regragui explained. The coach confirmed discussions extended beyond the player himself: “We spoke with the family, with him, and with his lawyer. It was the first case I had when I arrived at the national team.”
According to the coach, Yamal’s response came with respect and clarity. “Two days later, he called me with respect and said ‘Coach, thank you for the affection, but I’m going to choose Spain. I feel Spanish.’”
“He explained that he had been playing with Spain since youth levels, so I wished him the best, especially for his honesty and sincerity with me throughout the process,” the Atlas Lions’ tactician reflected.
Regragui praised the young player’s directness throughout the process. “We tried everything with the project we have with Morocco, with the African Cup in our country, with the 2030 World Cup, with all the affection the country could give to Lamine. But the boy never lied. He didn’t play games about being Moroccan or Spanish.”
“Every Moroccan told me about Lamine,” Regragui added. “They said ‘there’s a star at Barça and the priority for Morocco is to bring him.’ We did everything, but he made his choice, so good luck. That’s football.”
‘I want to win the African Cup, the country deserves it’
During the same interview with Josep Pedrerol, Regragui outlined his ambitions for Morocco’s upcoming tournaments. “I want to win the Africa Cup, the country deserves it. The passion for sport is incredible. There isn’t a day when a Moroccan doesn’t ask me to win,” he declared.
The man behind Morocco’s World Cup run also addressed his future with the national team. “I have a contract until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but in this job if you don’t win, decisions come quickly,” he acknowledged.
Since taking the helm, the coach has maintained a consistent winning rhythm, with Morocco remaining undefeated in official matches since June 2023. The team has suffered only one defeat in their last 20 encounters, building solid momentum ahead of their upcoming tournaments.
When questioned about playing style, Regragui offered his philosophy: “Playing well means being decisive in the final 30 meters and having possession, but always with the opponent’s goal in mind.” He added, “In football, as in all other sports, what fans want is to win.”
Read also: Lamine Yamal Crowned World’s Best Young Player with 2024 Kopa Trophy
