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The former sporting director of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Albert Luque, has shed light on the behind-the-scenes decision of Lamine Yamal to represent Spain instead of Morocco, revealing the pressures and stakes involved in this choice.
«It wasn't a simple case», confides Albert Luque. Lamine Yamal, a prodigious talent from FC Barcelona, had the option to choose between the Spanish national team and the Moroccan national team. Ultimately, the 17-year-old forward opted for La Roja, with whom he was crowned European champion last summer. But his decision had been made long before that triumph.
«The Moroccan coach came specifically to convince him, and even the Moroccan side tried to persuade him», Luque recounts on the El Larguero program on Cadena Ser. «When we spoke to him, he told me: 'I want to be European champion. I'm under pressure from all sides, but I want to play for Spain.'»
While Lamine Yamal seemed determined, his father was more hesitant. «He was more complicated», acknowledges Albert Luque. «He told me they would kill him in Morocco, that he was under incredible pressure. He confided things to me that are better left unsaid».
On the other hand, the player's mother played a key role in this decision. «She is the person Lamine relies on the most», explains Luque. «She asked me if we really wanted him to play for Spain. I lied to her, saying it was because he was very prepared and not to sideline Morocco», admits Albert Luque.
Born in Mataró, about thirty kilometers from Barcelona, Lamine Yamal joined La Masia at the age of seven. Launched into the professional scene by Xavi when he was just 15, he has continually broken records for precocity. He became the youngest scorer in La Liga history and the youngest player to represent Spain and score a goal for La Roja.
