Doha \u2013 Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui disclosed the behind-the-scenes conversations that led to Lamine Yamal\u2019s decision to represent Spain instead of Morocco.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Tuesday night\u2019s Spanish television program El Chiringuito, Regragui detailed<\/a> his pursuit of the Barcelona prodigy and accepted the player\u2019s choice with professional understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cLamine Yamal is a generational talent that we tried to bring to the Moroccan national team, but it wasn\u2019t possible,\u201d Regragui stated. \u201cWhat he\u2019s doing at his age is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n The Moroccan coach revealed multiple phone conversations with the young star, presenting him with the federation\u2019s ambitious projects. \u201cI had several telephone conversations with Yamal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI presented him with our projects for Morocco, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup,\u201d Regragui explained. The coach confirmed discussions extended beyond the player himself: \u201cWe spoke with the family<\/a>, with him, and with his lawyer. It was the first case I had when I arrived at the national team.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the coach, Yamal\u2019s response came with respect and clarity. \u201cTwo days later, he called me with respect and said \u2018Coach, thank you for the affection, but I\u2019m going to choose<\/a> Spain. I feel Spanish.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe explained that he had been playing<\/a> with Spain since youth levels, so I wished him the best, especially for his honesty and sincerity with me throughout the process,\u201d the Atlas Lions\u2019 tactician reflected.<\/p>\n Regragui praised the young player\u2019s directness throughout the process. \u201cWe tried everything with the project we have with Morocco, with the African Cup in our country, with the 2030 World Cup, with all the affection the country could give to Lamine. But the boy never lied. He didn\u2019t play games about being Moroccan or Spanish.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery Moroccan told me about Lamine,\u201d Regragui added. \u201cThey said \u2018there\u2019s a star at Bar\u00e7a and the priority for Morocco is to bring him.\u2019 We did everything, but he made his choice, so good luck. That\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018I want to win the African Cup, the country deserves it\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n During the same interview with Josep Pedrerol, Regragui outlined his ambitions for Morocco\u2019s upcoming tournaments. \u201cI want to win the Africa Cup<\/a>, the country deserves it. The passion for sport is incredible. There isn\u2019t a day when a Moroccan doesn\u2019t ask me to win,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n The man behind Morocco\u2019s World Cup run also addressed his future with the national team. \u201cI have a contract until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but in this job if you don\u2019t win, decisions come quickly,\u201d he acknowledged.<\/p>\n Since taking the helm, the coach has maintained a consistent winning rhythm, with Morocco remaining undefeated in official matches since June 2023. The team has suffered only one defeat in their last 20 encounters, building solid momentum ahead of their upcoming tournaments.<\/p>\n When questioned about playing style, Regragui offered his philosophy: \u201cPlaying well means being decisive in the final 30 meters and having possession, but always with the opponent\u2019s goal in mind.\u201d He added, \u201cIn football, as in all other sports, what fans want is to win.\u201d<\/p>\n