Lamine Yamal sticks with the Spanish national team

Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal has firmly reiterated his decision to represent Spain internationally, dismissing any regrets despite facing anti-Muslim chants during a recent match. The 18-year-old prodigy stated his unwavering commitment to the Spanish national team, even if presented with the chance to reconsider.

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The chants were anti-Muslim, and I think all Senegalese of Spanish origin, Moroccans, and Spaniards in general would have felt insulted. But I have no regrets about my decision, and I still prefer Spain. If I could go back in time, I would choose Spain again.

In an interview with Cadena SER's "El Larguero," Yamal addressed the hostile chants directed at him, acknowledging them as anti-Muslim. He expressed that such behavior would be offensive to many, including Moroccans and Spaniards, but maintained his stance: "I have no regrets about my decision, and I still prefer Spain. If I could go back in time, I would choose Spain again."

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I know that not all Spaniards were chanting those slogans, and many did not even realize what they were saying. My parents raised me with certain values, while others were raised differently.

Yamal was careful not to generalize the incident, recognizing that not all Spaniards would engage in such behavior and that many might not understand the meaning of their chants. He attributed his upbringing to specific values, contrasting it with different upbringings of others.

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I bet with my friends on Morocco in the Morocco vs. Netherlands match. I predicted a 2-2 draw and then a penalty shootout, so I was very close to predicting the result.

Despite his allegiance to Spain, Yamal admitted to retaining special feelings for the Moroccan national team, which he followed closely during the World Cup. He enjoys watching several teams, including Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Japan, and admitted to being a fan of Argentina primarily due to Lionel Messi. He also noted France's strong squad and considered Ecuador a dark horse in the tournament. Yamal also shared insights into his learning curve with the Spanish national team, noting the difference from club football and his ongoing adaptation to international play.

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I am constantly learning, gaining experience, and learning how to recover from injuries. In the match against Cape Verde, the ball seemed like a piece of marble to me, but now I see it normally and feel I am in excellent condition, and I look forward to the next match.