Morocco still hopeful of convincing Barcelona wonderkid to switch national team | OneFootball

According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Morocco are still trying to convince Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal to switch his nationality. Since he is yet to play his third game for the Spanish national team, they still have time to approach the player.

Now, it must be remembered that Yamal was recently called up to the Spanish national team for their upcoming international commitments. Although the youngster was injured, he still teamed up his national teammates.

Earlier today, however, we confirmed that the 16-year-old will be leaving the national team camp owing to injury and thus, will return to Barcelona to begin his rehabilitation.

Are Morocco even legally allowed to pursue Yamal?

Well, yes!

Morocco are determined to secure the services of the young Barcelona footballer, even though he has already made his debut for the Spanish national team and expressed his desire to continue representing La Roja.

Nevertheless, FIFA’s regulations still offer a glimmer of hope for Morocco.

These rules state that a player with dual nationality can switch teams if they have not participated in a maximum of three games, whether official or not, or if three years have elapsed since their last appearance for the national team they originally debuted with.

Lamine Yamal has played just two games for Spain so far (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Yamal’s injury a blessing in disguise for Morocco

If not for the injury, the 16-year-old forward would have played his third game for Spain during this international break but now that he is returning to Barcelona, Morocco have been handed a chance to approach the player again.

Presently, Lamine Yamal has played just two matches (against Georgia and Cyprus), leaving one opportunity for Morocco to make the switch before he becomes ineligible to switch allegiances.

Yamal, born in Mataro to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, had already broken the Spanish national team record when he took the field against Georgia to make his debut. In the process, he became the youngest player ever to play for Spain at just 16 years and 57 days.