Lamine Yamal wears two other countries' flags on his boots when playing for Spain
Lamine Yamal sports the flags of two other nations on his boots despite playing for Spain.
Yamal, 17, is one of the most promising young players in recent memory and is in the running for the 2025 Ballon d’Or crown alongside Ousmane Dembele, Mo Salah and Barcelona teammate Raphinha.
With every passing game, the wonderkid seems to be getting better and gaining more confidence in his ability.
On Thursday (June 5), he played an important role, scoring twice, in Spain’s 5-4 UEFA Nations League semi-final victory against France, which saw them progress to Sunday’s final against Portugal.
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Yamal has already won the Euros with Luis de la Fuente’s side, but he could’ve represented two other nations.
The teenager has been spotted with the flags of two other countries printed on his boots during games for both Spain and Barcelona.
This is linked to Yamal’s mixed heritage as his mother, Sheila, was born in Equatorial Guinea, on the west coast of central Africa. Meanwhile, his father, Mounir, was born in the North African nation of Morocco.
Speaking earlier this year, the Morocco national team’s head coach, Walid Regragui, revealed how he personally attempted to convince Yamal to play for the country.
“Lamine Yamal is a once-in-a-generation talent - we tried to bring him to the Moroccan national team, but it wasn’t possible,” said Regragui when he spoke to El Chiringuito.
“Lamine Yamal was completely honest with me. I presented him with Morocco’s future projects, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.”
He added: “Two days later, he reached out to confirm that he feels Spanish, that he has been playing for Spain since youth level. So I wished him the best, especially because he was honest and sincere with me at all times.”
Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, Equatorial Guinea’s football federation president, also gave his thoughts on Yamal’s decision when he spoke to BBC Sport in 2024.
"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 said.
Despite his mixed heritage, Yamal was born in Esplugues de Llobregat, in the Barcelona metropolitan area in Catalonia.
And the youngster is not the only player to sport another nation’s flag on his boots.
England and Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been spotted doing the same thing.
Palmer’s boots sport the flags of England and St Kitts and Nevis as a nod to his father’s heritage.
Topics: Lamine Yamal, Spain, Football, Barcelona, Morocco, Cole Palmer, UEFA Nations League
Luke Davies