Walid Regragui details failed efforts to recruit Lamine Yamal for Morocco

Walid Regragui, the former coach of the Moroccan national football team, has revealed details regarding the federation's multi-year effort to recruit Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Regragui stated that securing the young talent was a top priority for him and the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, starting from when Yamal was 14 years old.

The recruitment process involved extensive outreach to Yamal's family, including inviting his father and grandmother to Morocco for discussions. Regragui also traveled to Barcelona to meet with the player, his cousin, and his lawyer to present a project that included direct integration into the senior national team and the opportunity to compete for major trophies.

Despite these efforts, Yamal ultimately chose to represent Spain. Regragui noted that after a personal meeting in Barcelona, the player's lawyer informed him of the decision, which Yamal later confirmed directly to the coach via telephone. Regragui emphasized that while Yamal chose Spain, he still considers the player to have Moroccan roots.