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Can Lamine Yamal Still Represent the Moroccan National Team? The Final Answer
The file of the talented player Lamine Yamal has long been the focus of attention for both Moroccan and Spanish fans. Born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, the player had the right to choose to represent one of three national teams. But where do things stand now? Is there still any hope for him to wear the “Atlas Lions” jersey?
The Decisive Decision: Spain is the Final Choice
The short and direct answer is: No, Lamine Yamal can no longer represent the Moroccan national team at all. The player has become permanently and fully “Spanish” in the records of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Legal Reasons (FIFA Regulations)
Previously, FIFA rules were very strict, but they became more flexible in 2020 to allow players to change their sporting nationality under specific conditions (such as not playing more than 3 matches before the age of 21). However, Lamine Yamal has exceeded all these exceptions for the following reasons:
- Participation in a Major Tournament (Euro 2024): FIFA’s golden rule states that a player who participates in a match (even for a single minute) in the finals of a major continental tournament (such as the UEFA European Championship or the World Cup) is permanently barred from changing their national team. Lamine Yamal not only participated but was the star of the tournament and led Spain to win the title in Euro 2024.
- Exceeding the Allowed Number of Matches: Lamine Yamal has played a large number of official matches with the Spanish senior national team (exceeding 10 matches), which voids the “three-match” condition that allows for a change.
Timeline of Events
- September 2023: Coach Luis de la Fuente called up Lamine Yamal for the first time to the Spanish senior team. He played against Georgia and scored a goal, becoming the youngest scorer in Spain’s history.
- November 2023: He participated in other official matches within the Euro qualifiers, which gradually began to close the door to Morocco.
- Summer 2024 (The Point of No Return): His starting role and brilliance in the UEFA European Championship (Euro 2024) in Germany, where he won the title and the Best Young Player award, ended any legal debate regarding his international future.
Position of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation
The Moroccan Federation made significant efforts initially. Walid Regragui communicated with the player and his family to explain the sporting project for Morocco (fourth in the World). However, everyone respected the decision of the player who chose to play for the country where he was born, raised, and developed as a footballer (Spain).
Conclusion
While the Moroccan national team lost a unique talent, the “Atlas Lions” possess an arsenal of stars and young talents (such as Brahim Diaz, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and others) capable of carrying the torch. Lamine Yamal’s story with Morocco has ended in football terms, and he is now one of the pillars of the Spanish national team for years to come.
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