Morocco’s Rising Star Aznou: "I Chose Heart Over Spain, Unlike Yamal

Trained at La Masia, the FC Barcelona academy, Aznou and Yamal were friends, until the moment when each of them chose their sporting nationality. Lamine Yamal chose to defend the colors of Spain, while Adam Aznou preferred to join the Moroccan national team.

"No, no, no. I didn’t push him because I knew he was going to play for Spain. So, as I said, it was his decision... I told him: ’You stay, I’m leaving. I’m going to follow my heart. Do what you want, but I respect your decision,’" Aznou said in an interview with the Post United account.

Aznou assures that if he were in Yamal’s place, he would have chosen Morocco, his country of origin. "In his situation, I would have chosen Morocco. Yes, if I had been in his place, with my thoughts and ideas, I would have chosen Morocco." The Atlas Lion says he is proud of the exceptional career of his friend who, at just 17 years old, is already a European champion with Spain, who won Euro 2024.

While the Barça prodigy is racking up precocity records with Spain, Aznou is making his way with the Atlas Lions. He made his debut with the Moroccan national team in September 2024, where he played 3 matches.