Former Morocco star questions Lamine Yamal’s decision to play for Spain and says ‘we’d have loved him more’

Former Morocco midfielder Mustapha Hadji says Lamine Yamal made a mistake in not declaring to play for the North African nation and says he won’t feel the same level of affection in Spain.

Yamal was born in Spain but his father is Moroccan. Having been brought up through the Spanish system there was never any doubt as to the country he wanted to play for.

And according to Hadji, who won 63 caps for Morocco, it was a missed opportunity for the Barcelona star.

On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, he said: “Even if he plays with Spain, the affection that the Spaniards will have for him will never be the same as that of the Moroccans. 

“So it’s a shame that he didn’t choose Morocco, because if he had, it would have been different. It’s sad because, as I recently read in a Spanish newspaper, some journalists said: ‘We have Pedri, we love Pedri, we love Yamal, but we don’t love him as much as Pedri’. So that means he was wrong. 

“I would have liked him to play with Morocco. He will always be Moroccan, even if he plays for Spain.”

Yamal already a European champion with Spain

Yamal’s decision has been largely vindicated so far after helping Spain win the European Championship in 2024 and they will head to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico as one of the favourites.

The 18-year-old admitted he was aware of his dual eligibility but never had any doubt who he would play for.

Speaking recently, he said: “Yes, the ‘I can play with Morocco’ issue was in my head. They had just reached the semifinals of the World Cup [in 2022], but at the moment of truth, I never doubted it.

“With all my love and respect for Morocco, I have always wanted to play a European Championship, play here in Europe. European football is seen more and is closer to international football. Being at Barça I wanted to win a European Championship that, thank God, I have already achieved and now play a World Cup with chances of winning it. 

“I will always have affection for Morocco. It’s also my country. The truth is that it would not have been strange or bad to play for them, but I grew up in Spain and I also feel that it is my country.”

Yamal has also been influential for club side Barca this season. Hansi Flick’s men lead the table by four points from Real Madrid heading into this weekend’s games.