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Lamine Yamal Said I was Thinking About Playing With Morocco. But in the moment of truth, I never doubted. With all the love and respect I have for Morocco, I always wanted to play in the EURO and in Europe
Are you following the story of Lamine Yamal? The teenager who burst onto the scene and suddenly every headline asks the same question: how far can he go?
Born in Catalonia to Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean parents, Yamal’s talent has forced big decisions, including which country to represent.
He once admitted he considered playing for Morocco, but chose Spain because he wanted European tournaments and a better chance at major trophies.
At club level he is already a regular at Barcelona, creating goals, forcing defenders to back off, and earning high match ratings.
Fans and experts now debate his best position, his market value, and whether pressure will shape or break him. This piece takes a close look at facts.
In a recent interview that has been shared widely, Lamine Yamal acknowledged that he at one point thought about playing for Morocco.
He said the Moroccan run to the World Cup semifinals made him consider that route, but he felt closer to Europe and the competitions he wanted to play in, namely the Euros and the major club tournaments.
He also stressed his respect for Morocco and his family roots, but explained that choosing Spain felt right for his career path.
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Yamal’s heritage is part of his public story. Born and raised in Spain to a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, he has clear links to multiple nations.
That background made him attractive to more than one national team, and his choice to play for Spain carries both sporting and cultural weight.
Reuters and other outlets have written about how his rise is watched closely in his home neighborhood and across the countries of his parents.
Here’s a breakdown of some of Yamal’s recent form and career stats.
2024/25 Season (FC Barcelona — League + All Competitions)
Matches / Minutes
35 league matches
2864 minutes
Goals & Assists
9 goals
15 assists
Other Notes
161 dribbles (all league)
2023/24 Season (Barcelona First-Team Debut Season)
Appearances / Minutes
50 appearances
2958 minutes
Goals & Assists (All Competitions):
7 goals
7 assists
Other Notes
Became youngest player to reach 50 first-team appearances
2025/26 Season
Matches / Minutes
10 league matches
813 minutes
Goals & Assists
5 goals
7 assists
Other Notes
18 chances created
51 successful dribbles
Yamal is not just a flair player who dribbles past opponents. The data shows he creates chances, delivers assists, and scores. He draws attention from opponents and forces tactical adjustments.
His match ratings and game-by-game performance metrics point to consistent influence rather than sporadic brilliance.
That matters when a club like Barcelona expects players to help win matches week after week.
Choosing Spain put Yamal on a path to play in the European Championship and to compete for a World Cup spot with a strong, deep national team. This was part of his reasoning in the public comments.
Playing with Spain also places him under intense scrutiny, Spain has high expectations and media attention, but it increases his chance to play at international tournaments with deep runs and exposure to elite competition.
Several analysts and outlets have reported that Yamal’s presence is elevating Spain’s attacking options and giving the coach another high-quality attacking outlet.
Where does he play best? Yamal has played mainly on the right wing for Barcelona and Spain, cutting inside onto his left foot and combining with central attackers. He can play as a number 10 or on either flank when needed.
Coaches have praised his intelligence and technique, while critics ask questions about his physical consistency against the very best defenders.
Consistent involvement in Barcelona’s most dangerous attacking moves, whether by assist or the pass that creates the chance. Match data and club statistics reflect this pattern.
Market-watchers put a high price tag on Yamal. FotMob lists a substantial market value estimate, reflecting both his age and the premium for elite young attackers at top clubs.
Transfermarkt and other valuation pages show a very high valuation, and clubs and agents are tracking those indicators closely.
These numbers are not just about money; they shape how clubs plan, how opponents prepare, and how media and fans set expectations.
Why that matters for a young player? big valuations bring extra attention and pressure. Barcelona must balance playing time, development, and protecting the player from burnout.
Coaches often stress steady growth and careful management, not every prodigy needs to be rushed into every match.
Recent comments from Barcelona’s coach and other experts underline the need to keep him developing technically and physically.
There are typical risks with young talents: physical demand, overexposure, tactical adjustments from opponents, and mental pressure from constant media focus.
But there are also clear strengths: elite technical skill, game intelligence, and proven ability to perform in big moments.
Lamine Yamal is not just a social media talking point. He is a young player with meaningful numbers, a clear club role, and a public decision about his international future that reflects both family roots and career ambition.
Whether he becomes a long-term global superstar depends on steady growth, smart management, and his response to the inevitable ups and downs.
For now, the facts are clear: he has the talent, the platform at Barcelona, and the international stage with Spain.
Fans will watch closely, and the next seasons will tell how he turns early promise into lasting achievement.