Former Spanish national team director, Albert Luque, has revealed that Lamine Yamal’s father allegedly received death threats in Morocco after his son chose to represent Spain at the international level instead of his father’s homeland.
Speaking on the El Larguero radio show on Cadena SER, Luque disclosed how difficult the process of securing Yamal’s commitment to Spain was, especially with pressure from Morocco.
According to him, Lamine’s father confided that people in Morocco had threatened to kill him for allowing his son to play for Spain.
“Morocco Tried to Convince Him”
Luque explained that Morocco’s coach and government officials made several attempts to sway Yamal’s decision, but the young talent had already made up his mind.
“When we spoke to him, he told me: ‘I want to be European champion. They are pressuring me from all sides, but I want to play with Spain’,” Luque said.
He also admitted that Spain approached Lamine early to ensure he played at least three matches, making him ineligible to switch national teams under FIFA rules.
Family Pressure
While Lamine’s mother was supportive of the decision, Luque described the father as a tougher challenge.
“His father told me they were going to kill him in Morocco… He told me some things that it’s better not to talk about,” Luque added.
Historic Decision
Despite the pressure, Yamal fulfilled his dream of winning the European Championship with Spain last summer, becoming one of the country’s youngest-ever stars.
His decision contrasts with other players of Moroccan descent like Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi, who opted to represent Morocco at the international level.
The revelation has sparked fresh conversations about the intense battle between nations for talented young footballers.
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