Why Spain star Lamine Yamal proudly displays Equatorial Guinea and Morocco flags on boots he shares with Lionel Messi
Lamine Yamal has enjoyed a breakout Euro 2024 campaign for Spain, but there are two other countries he holds dear.
Despite his tender age, the 16-year-old Barcelona starlet has already become a key player for La Roja and has lit up the tournament.
4
Follow England vs Spain LIVE here
Yamal scored a goal-of-the-tournament contender in their semi-final against France, curling in a stunning effort from 25 yards out.
He will now look to become a European champion as Spain take on England in the Euro 2024 final this Sunday.
He has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Camp Nou and only made his international debut in September 2023.
He instantly became Spain's youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 57 days after finding the net in a 7-1 win over Georgia.
Read more on Euro 2024
Yamal has since featured in all of his country's games at Euro 2024 so far and has contributed three assists as well as his incredible goal against France.
Before the tournament, the winger was a key figure in Adidas' launch of their F50 boots alongside his idol Lionel Messi, who is currently wearing them for Argentina at Copa America.
However, Yamal's electric feet have seen fans notice his own customisation to the attire - with the flags of both Morocco and Equatorial Guinea proudly displayed.
Why Yamal has Equatorial Guinea and Morocco flags on his Spain boots?
The teenager was born in Catalonia, but his parents come from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea.
Most read in Euro 2024
As such, Yamal had the opportunity to represent either nation internationally but opted to play for the nation of his birth.
The flags' inclusion on the boots he wears for Spain are a tribute to his father's homeland in Morocco and his mother's in Equatorial Guinea.
4
4
His father, Mounir Nasraoui, has always tipped his son for greatness and has been speaking to Forbes about Yamal's rise to stardom.
He said: "I knew about my son when he was born, I knew he was going to be a star. Whoever is a father knows it and any father wants his child to be the best.
"He wants to be the youngest player to win a European Championship, like any kid."
Of course, things could have worked out very differently because he could have represented any of the three nations on the international stage, but he chose Spain.
Morocco did try to get Yamal to play for them, but they were unsuccessful.
In 2023, Moroccan FA's president, Fouzi Lekjaa, claimed they held a meeting with Yamal and his parents, but he rejected the chance to play for Morocco.
4
Lekjaa said: "We conveyed our project to him and his family, but Lamine was already convinced about going to Spain.
"Spain and Morocco are separated by 14 kilometres, and it is normal for these things to happen. I respect Lamine."
So, Yamal might not have chosen to play for Morocco or Equatorial Guinea, but he still holds them close to his heart.