Controversy Erupts as Lamine Yamal’s Nationality Claim Sparks Backlash in Morocco

The choice of Lamine Yamal to play for La Roja instead of the Atlas Lions continues to stir up controversy. Many Moroccans had expressed their discontent on social media after the 17-year-old player’s decision to wear the national colors, believing that he has betrayed Morocco and "does not respect his origins..."

The grandmother of the young prodigy tried a few days ago to put an end to the controversy over the sporting nationality of the Barcelona striker, but her remarks have inflamed the web. "This child is not from Morocco. He was born here and studied here. My son Mounir did not force him to do anything. He can play in Morocco, France, Spain... anywhere. This honest choice has honored the family," the grandmother of Yamal said in an interview on Antena 3.

These statements have provoked strong criticism from Moroccan internet users. Angry, they have published an old interview of Yamal’s grandmother in which she claimed the opposite of what she is now supporting. "Lamine is not Spanish, he is Moroccan... His real name is Lamine Jamal, it is I who gave him the name at the consulate," the grandmother of the young player had previously declared.

Moroccan internet users have also posted a video in which we see Lamine Yamal celebrating Spain’s elimination by Morocco in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.