Despite playing for Spain, Lamine Yamal wears the flags of two other countries on his boots.
One of the most talented young players in recent memory, Yamal, 17, is vying for the 2025 Ballon d’Or with Barcelona colleague Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, and Mo Salah.
The wonderkid appears to be improving and becoming more assured of his skills with each game that goes by.
He scored twice in Spain’s 5-4 victory over France in the UEFA Nations League semi-final on Thursday, June 5, which advanced them to the final against Portugal on Sunday.
Although Yamal might have played for two different countries, he had already won the Euros with Luis de la Fuente’s team.
During games for Barcelona and Spain, the adolescent has been seen wearing boots with the flags of two other nations printed on them.
Given that Yamal’s mother, Sheila, was born in Equatorial Guinea, on the west coast of central Africa, this is connected to Yamal’s mixed ancestry. His father, Mounir, was born in Morocco, a country in North Africa.
Walid Regragui, the head coach of Morocco’s national team, talked about his personal efforts to persuade Yamal to play for his homeland earlier this year.
Regragui told El Chiringuito, “We tried to bring Lamine Yamal to the Moroccan national team, but it was not possible. He is a once-in-a-generation talent.”
“Lamine Yamal was totally truthful with me.” I showed him Morocco’s upcoming plans, such as the 2030 World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
He went on to say: “He contacted me two days later to reaffirm that he feels Spanish and that he has played for Spain since he was a young player. I so sent him my warmest wishes, particularly since he was always truthful and open with me.
In a 2024 interview with BBC Sport, Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of Equatorial Guinea’s football federation, also shared his opinions on Yamal’s choice.
“Even though Lamine is not playing for Equatorial Guinea, we hold him very close in our hearts and think he is going to do many things for Equatoguinean football,” Micha added.
Yamal was born in the Barcelona metropolitan area of Catalonia, in Esplugues de Llobregat, despite having mixed ancestry.
Additionally, the young footballer is not the only one who wears the flag of another country on his boots.
Cole Palmer of England and Chelsea has been seen doing the same thing.
Palmer pays homage to his father’s background by wearing boots with the flags of England and St. Kitts & Nevis.
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