Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal has revealed why he opted to represent the national football team of Spain over Morocco.
Yamal was born in Rocafonda, Spain, to a Moroccan father and to Equatorial Guinean mother.
The 18-year-old was eligible to play for Spain, Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.
“Deep down, I was thinking about playing with Morocco. At that time, Morocco had reached the World Cup semi-finals,” Yamal said as quoted by TouchlineX (via 60 Minutes of CBS News).
“But in the moment of truth, 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 European football is watched more, and I think it’s closer to the international high level.
“And praise be to God, I did that. It also makes me close to the World Cup with chances to win it… I will always carry love for Morocco, as it is my country too. And I grew up in Spain, and I also feel that it is my country.”