Tensions between Spain and Morocco over Lamine Yamal

Spain and Morocco are engaged in a fierce battle to recruit dual-national players. The case of Lamine Yamal shows the level of rivalry between the federations of the two countries. The young FC Barcelona player, born in Catalonia to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, has chosen to play for Spain, turning his back on Morocco, recalls AS.

This choice of Lamine Yamal seems to create friction between the two countries. Morocco would not have digested this decision of the young player, considering that he could have followed the example of Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid and having played for the Spanish youth categories, but who chose to join the Atlas Lions.

The rivalry between the two Spanish and Moroccan federations is not limited to the case of Yamal. Morocco is also interested in Brahim Diaz, the Real Madrid midfielder, whom it is trying to convince to wear the Moroccan jersey, like the dual-nationals Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, El Jabari and recently Yusi.