Former Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has revealed details of an intensive two-year campaign to convince FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to represent the Moroccan national team before the teenager chose Spain.
Speaking in an interview on the Magharib podcast on the Atheer platform, Regragui explained that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation identified Yamal as a primary target when the player was just 14 years old. The former national coach, who managed Morocco from 2022 to 2026, said federation officials had tracked the winger's development early due to his exceptional promise.
Yamal was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother. Under international football regulations, players with dual heritage are eligible to represent any of the countries linked to their parentage before committing to a senior national side.
Morocco identified Barcelona prodigy at age 14
Regragui revealed that Yamal was the very first player dossier he examined alongside the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after taking charge. When Regragui asked federation executives why they were focusing so heavily on a 14-year-old youth player, officials responded that Yamal was the future Lionel Messi.
The manager recalled being astounded by the comparison to the legendary Argentina forward. He questioned how the federation could successfully recruit a player at such a young age, but officials immediately launched a long-term campaign to persuade the Barcelona academy prospect.
The strategy formed part of a broader recruitment push by Moroccan football authorities to integrate European-based players of Moroccan origin into their national system. Officials held multiple meetings with Yamal's father and his extended family over the course of two years.
Family visits and a major tournament pitch
As part of the recruitment effort, the federation organized a trip for Yamal's family to visit Morocco, where sports executives presented the national team's long-term athletic project. Regragui said officials offered Yamal a leading role in the squad from an early age, promising him early promotion to the senior team, the opportunity to win major trophies, and the chance to contend for the Ballon d'Or.
The negotiations took place during a historic period for Moroccan football. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the tournament semi-finals, ultimately finishing in fourth place. Regragui noted that the national team's success created a strong environment during talks with Yamal's family.
To assist with personal diplomacy, Regragui reached out to Moroccan international winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who was playing for Barcelona at the time. Regragui asked Ezzalzouli to arrange a direct meeting with Yamal during a trip the national coach made to Barcelona.
Direct talks in Barcelona and the final decision
Regragui met Yamal in Barcelona for an extended conversation about his international future. Following the sit-down, the manager felt positive about the interaction, noting that the young winger displayed genuine affection for Morocco.
Two days later, however, Yamal called Regragui directly to inform him that he had reached a final decision. The player told the coach that he had decided to represent Spain. When Regragui asked if the choice was 100 percent certain, Yamal confirmed that it was, prompting the manager to wish him well in his career.
Shortly after Yamal's father visited Morocco, the teenager received his first senior call-up for Spain. Spanish national team selectors included the Barcelona winger in their squad for UEFA European Championship qualifying fixtures against Georgia and Cyprus.
Fan reaction and controversy over boot insignia
Yamal later explained that he had represented Spain across youth levels starting with the Under-15 team. He noted that he had always been clear about his ambition to play for Spain, target European Championship titles, win a World Cup, and secure every trophy available.
By November, Yamal had made four competitive appearances for Spain. Under FIFA eligibility rules, participating in four competitive matches bound him permanently to the Spanish national team, closing any possibility of representing Morocco in international football.
The confirmation of his international commitment sparked widespread disappointment among Moroccan supporters. Yamal and his family subsequently faced online abuse and hostile messages on social media platforms from aggrieved fans.
The tension increased after Yamal wore customized football boots featuring the national flags of Morocco and Equatorial Guinea as a gesture toward his dual heritage. Online critics condemned the boots, claiming that putting the Moroccan flag on footwear disrespected national identity and dignity. Other social media users commented that wearing the flag on his shoes failed to show proper respect for his origins after he chose to represent Spain.
Reflections on Yamal's success and cultural roots
Regragui observed that Yamal's choice ultimately yielded historical success, noting that the player went on to win both the European Championship and the World Cup with Spain. Despite the public backlash and the failed recruitment drive, the former Morocco coach maintained that Yamal's personal connection to his Moroccan heritage remains strong.
